The SPEC|YWCA Urban Farmer Field School (UFFS) provides training in sustainable urban agriculture for new and experienced growers. Perched upon the YWCA Metro Vancouver Rooftop Garden, students are engaged in experiential learning opportunities preparing them to be successful urban growers.

2013 Course Curriculum

We are serving up 25 classes organized by season from Late March to October. Click on the following images to browse our seasonal classes, or the Topics below to browse by category. Click REGISTER to see all of SPEC's workshops. Participants can choose courses that appeal to their interest or sign up for the full program. All courses aim to build on participant experiences and foster collaborative learning including hands-on experience.

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UFFS Goals:

To increase the number of urban growers following sustainable production practices
To increase farmer income
To increase the quantity, quality and safety of locally-grown food

What is a farmer field school?

The Farmer Field School (FFS) concept is a proven approach to increasing farmer understanding and practicing of sustainable agriculture practices. Developed originally by the UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the 1980's, this participatory education model has been adopted by small-scale agriculture producers in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

UFFS Participants'

New and experienced backyard gardeners, urban farmers, community food activists, and sustainability entrepreneurs are invited to participate in a series of courses or a single course. One of SPEC’s goals is to engage students in thinking about the larger food system. Participants can sign up for individual classes or they can save money by enrolling in course packages.

The Downtown Field School: YWCA Metro Vancouver Rooftop Food Garden

Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the YWCA Metro Vancouver Rooftop Food Garden is an intensive-production vegetable garden complete with fruit trees, berries, a small greenhouse, and compost system. Using simple season-extension techniques, soil building, and crop rotation allows for a tremendous yield (760 kilograms in 2011!) for the amount of space -- all of which is donated to YWCA PROGRAMS such as the Crabtree Corner Community Kitchen.

As one of our classrooms, the garden will give students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and to experience different and innovative techniques.

YWCA Metro Vancouver Rooftop Food Garden

UFFS Neighbourhood Farm Tours

This year, the Urban Farmer Field School will be launching three bicycle tours to explore the urban farms, gardeners, community kitchens, and food organizations in the following neighbourhoods:

Kitsilano

Grandview-Woodlands

Downtown

Check out the Neighbourhood Farm Tours page for updates!

Project Partners

Initial Project Funding Provided By

Electricity Offsetting

The electricity used for all classes offered at the YWCA Metro Vancouver is offset with renewable electricity created on local farms in British Columbia. To find out more about how Cowpower Farms produce renewable electricity that helps to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, divert food waste from landfills and strengthen local farming visit them at www.cowpowerbc.com.