Fort Whyte Farms is an urban Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program located in southwest Winnipeg. As a CSA, Fort Whyte Farms allows the public to purchase shares of their harvest to be delivered in a weekly basket. This CSA format means that the consumer and the farmer share the risks associated with farming; if extreme weather, for example, ruins the harvest for the week then both the shareholder and the farmer must deal with the consequences instead of just the farmer. The CSA offers a vegetable share as well as a meat and honey share. All the vegetables are grown using sustainable agriculture practices and the meats (pigs and chickens) are all pasture raised and grass fed.
The Fort Whyte Farms CSA, however, is unique. The farm works with “marginalized youth, using the practice of sustainable urban agriculture to build confidence and leadership skills, provide employment training, while instilling values of individual and community self-reliance” (Fort Whyte Farms, 2013). In partnership with a number of inner-city schools Fort Whyte Farms helps to provide training and knowledge about food to at-risk youth. This community enterprise means that Fort Whyte Farms goes beyond simply growing environmentally friendly local food, but also helps to build community and foster relationships with young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about growing nutritious food in the city.
Find out more at http://www.fortwhyte.org/fortwhytefarms
The Fort Whyte Farms CSA, however, is unique. The farm works with “marginalized youth, using the practice of sustainable urban agriculture to build confidence and leadership skills, provide employment training, while instilling values of individual and community self-reliance” (Fort Whyte Farms, 2013). In partnership with a number of inner-city schools Fort Whyte Farms helps to provide training and knowledge about food to at-risk youth. This community enterprise means that Fort Whyte Farms goes beyond simply growing environmentally friendly local food, but also helps to build community and foster relationships with young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about growing nutritious food in the city.
Find out more at http://www.fortwhyte.org/fortwhytefarms