Canada: Free Landscaping Service & Vegetables in Exchange For Land & Water Use

Vancouver’s Green Zebra Urban Farm Looking for Land

Hi there, my name is Rachel Elves, director of Green Zebra Markets. I have extensive urban farming experience which includes managing the Burquitlam Community Garden for 2 years, Lead Designer for the inaugural year of the Coquitlam Munch community edible planter project (2016), and running a market garden and farmstand for over 4 years.

We would like to transform your lawn and yard space into an edible urban oasis – beautiful to look at but also supporting the community need for a hyperlocal food source. This would eliminate the need for the majority of landscaping maintenance including your current cost for lawn maintenance. The community would have access to our paid weekly veggie boxes (community supported agriculture), as well as associated local urban gardening workshops and general learning opportunities.

Urban farms/gardens improve curb appeal and unlike lawns are ecologically friendly – providing habitat and nutrients for endangered bees, reducing the burden on the city waste-water processing, all while using less water than it takes to keep a well-manicured lawn.

In exchange for allowing us to farm on your land, in addition to the benefits outlined above (free landscaping, community service, and sustainability) you would also receive your choice of a free ½ share of my weekly veggie box; or a full share of my weekly box with 50% discount. Alternatively we can put your half-share of veggies to use to be able to offer low-income families veggie boxes at reduced cost.

Highlights of Urban Farm Land Exchange Program:
-receive a weekly payment of veggies (harvested by us, outlined above) during growing season
-no required labour on your part towards building/ establishing the urban farm
-only organic and sustainable farming techniques will be used on your land
-free maintenance at the growing site(s) with saved cost to you on lawn maintenance
-allow property access during daylight hours, with mutually agreed access after daylight
-allow free access and use of your water for irrigation based on water-reducing principles
-we ask for a minimum 3 year commitment as a great deal of planning, work, and cost (to us) goes into the establishment of any new urban farm site
-project duration on mutually agreed start date (as early as next week) until the end of November 2023
-project will encompass the entirety of one or both of the front and back yard(s), including grassy areas, working around existing structures, access pathways, and specific landscaping features you wish to keep (ex. trees, shrubs)

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