Farm the City

What is Farm the City?

Farm the City is a City of Calgary program that supports community-driven gardening and urban agriculture. It gives community groups, non-profits, schools, entrepreneurs and social organizations access to vacant and underused City-owned land to grow food.

For-profit projects can lease City-owned land at market rates. Non-profit projects can lease City-owned land at nominal or reduced rates based on an approved Community Benefit Plan.

The program’s vision is to:

Improve food access and food security.
Create more inclusive, connected neighbourhoods.
Turn underused land into community assets.
Advance Calgary’s sustainability and resilience goals.

Farm the City is a core part of Calgary’s Food Resilience Strategy, which aims to ensure every Calgarian has reliable access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.

Why apply?


	Support local food access and food security.

	Bring neighbours together through gardening, sharing, and learning.

	Activate vacant and underused City land for positive community use.

	Contribute to Calgary’s climate and resilience goals.

Ready to grow?

Turn vacant land into a community asset.

Apply now to Farm the City

If you have questions about eligibility, timelines, or applications, email us at food@calgary.ca.

Program details

Who can apply?

Community groups and non-profits
Schools and community associations
Organizations working in partnership with local growers
Entrepreneurs

What types of projects supported?

Community gardens and orchards
Urban farms producing food for sale or donation
School or youth-based food education projects
Indigenous food and medicine gardens

Current Farm the City projects

Highfield Regenerative Farm

_{2017 to present}

Highfield Farm is a partnership between The City of Calgary and the Compost Council of Canada, and was the first Urban Agriculture project on City-owned land. The farm is located on 15 acres of land in the Highfield-Manchester Industrial area.

The project supports land revitalization, regenerative food production, and community building. This pilot helped to develop tools and processes for better enabling urban growing on City-owned land.

Find out more about this initiative

Auburn Bay Community Farm

_2019-2022

The Auburn Bay Community Farm (now closed) was a project developed on City-owned vacant land. This land is being held for a future Greenline Park and Ride. Maintained by neighbourhood residents and Hands On Growing, an education-based organization that helps communities grow local food, this unique mobile urban farm model operated for two years before moving to a new location.

Land of Dreams

_{2017 to present}

The Land of Dreams is an Urban Agriculture initiative located in the Starfield area in Southeast Calgary. Inspired by the wisdom of the Blackfoot community, this project aims to create a healing and restorative community space where newcomers to Canada can grow, learn, and thrive together. The farm offers refugees a safe space to connect with the Indigenous community, supporting their healing processes, educating them about the land’s history, and reconnecting them with their skills in farming brought here from their home countries.

Find out more about this initiative.

Vacant Lots Farm Club

_{2024 to present}

Vacant Lots Farm Club is a Calgary-based nonprofit located in Northeast Calgary that converts unused urban land into therapeutic growing spaces full of food and flowers. They engage in a variety of seasonal activities designed to nurture a relationship with nature. Membership is free and members get rewards for helping turn empty spaces into abundant ecosystems.

Find out more about this initiative.

How to participate

1. Develop your idea

Decide what kind of project you want to create and how it will benefit the community.

Complete the Farm the City inquiry form including a description of your idea.

Submit an inquiry form

2. Collaborate with City staff

Meet with City staff to discuss your idea, ask questions, and learn about the process. This is your chance to refine your concept and understand next steps.

3. Submit your Farm Plan

Provide a detailed proposal including site plan, team members, resources, timeline, growing methods, operations, community benefit plan, and economic feasibility.

City staff will review your plan and give feedback or approval.

4. Secure land and approvals

If approved, City staff will help you find a parcel of City-owned land that meets your project needs.

Sign a lease agreement and obtain any required permits, licenses, or other approvals to operate your project.

5. Launch and maintain

Start growing!

For non-profit projects, submit an annual report showing how you’ve implemented your Community Benefit Plan to maintain your reduced lease rate.

For questions, contact food@calgary.ca.

Apply now

Frequently asked questions

What land is available for Farm the City projects?

There are currently no available sites in our inventory, however, The City can still help you to find a site on vacant or underused City owned land. Click on the Apply Now link to begin the process.

Do projects need permits?

Depending on the type and scale of activities, projects may require Development Permits, Building Permits, Electrical Permits, Business Licenses, Food Handling Permits, and other approvals. City staff will help you to determine what permits you need and how to apply.

Is funding available?

The City does not provide funding for Farm the City projects. Applicants will need to provide details on how they plan to fund their projects.

How long is the review process?

Growing on City-owned land takes careful planning and involves multiple steps. You should begin the process at least one year before you hope to start growing.