There are over 30 farm stands in Calgary where you can buy fresh local produce from nearby farmers. Picture sweet tomatoes, bunches of basil, or sun-kissed strawberries. Think about the fun cooking you can do with fresh ingredients—from zesty stir-fries to rainbow salads!

Often, good food goes to waste and ends up in the compost bin. Food waste can happen when we buy too much, cook too much, or don't store food correctly. We can make an impact by creating less waste.

Learn how to avoid good food being thrown away.

The Growing Spaces program is an urban agriculture program that supports and expands the production of locally grown food by connecting growers to vacant City-owned land, through community partnerships.

Growing Spaces projects include:

Highfield Regenerative Farm Urban Agriculture Pilot Project

Developed in 2017

Located in the Highfield-Manchester Industrial area, Highfield Farm was the first urban agriculture project on vacant City-owned land. The purpose of the pilot project was to learn, develop and test a set of tools to enable The City to better support urban agriculture and food production activities.

The City of Calgary developed the Highfield Farm Urban Agriculture Pilot Project to work with a community partner in the exploration and development of key deliverables to increase future opportunities for successful urban farm development and contribute to the goals of the CalgaryEATS! Food Action Plan.

Outcomes of the pilot project include:

• Land Use Bylaw amendments to enable urban agriculture activities across the city;
• Increase urban agriculture activities through short-term leases on vacant City-owned land;
• A Leasing Process for urban farms on vacant City-owned land;
• Urban Agriculture Guidelines;
• Approvals and Regulation Information.

Land of Dreams Farm

Developed in 2017

The Land of Dreams is an urban farming initiative on Treaty 7 territory 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.

Vacant Lots Farm Club

Developed in 2024

Vacant Lots Farm Club is a Calgary based nonprofit 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 us turn empty spaces into abundant ecosystems.

This new urban farm project is located in NE Calgary.

Auburn Bay Community Farm

2019-2022

The Auburn Bay Community Farm (now closed) was a project developed on City-owned vacant land 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.

The City knows that having different sources of food is important for a strong food system. The goal is to make it easier for indoor farming companies to establish their operations in Calgary.

Indoor farming means growing fruits, vegetables, plants, or other crops inside buildings to sell. It can include growing, raising, culturing or cultivating practices, and harvesting, storing, sorting, cleaning, and getting food ready to sell.

The City provides regulation and licensing for urban beekeeping. This helps address issues and create solutions for bees, beekeepers and neighbours. This program was introduced in Spring 2022.

The urban livestock licensing program allows Calgarians to keep backyard hens. The program accepted 100 applicants under a pilot project in 2022 and continues to accept new applications.

Learn more about the urban hen program and how to apply.

Household food production can include a variety of spaces and produce. Grow herbs and small vegetables inside your house. Plant fruit and vegetables in the ground or in raised beds in your yard. Food production at home can include vertical gardens, balcony gardens, rooftop gardens, and greenhouses. You can grow a wealth of fresh food in even the smallest garden plot or containers.

• Healthy, fresh produce for you and your family.
• Reducing the environmental impact of food transport and storage.
• Connection with nature and raising awareness of local food.

• Backyard greenhouse guidelines
• YardSmart - gardening and landscaping
• Design your home and yard to be climate ready
  

Boulevards are generally located between property lines, are City owned and are usually grass.

Boulevards are owned by The City. However, homeowners are responsible for maintenance of the boulevard next to their property. Since most boulevards are grass, it may be possible to plant a garden. In all cases, permission from The City is required.

Community gardens can improve the health and well-being of neighbourhoods in Calgary. The City values these gardens and supports creating new ones on public land and keeping the existing ones. We're happy to support community gardens by working with different organizations.