Farmers on 57th is a non profit organization which operates an urban farm with a CSA program, educational community gardens, and therapeutic accessible gardens in Vancouver, B.C.
In 2009, the Farmers on 57th group began an agricultural project to transform one acre of lawns at George Pearson Centre (GPC) into community integrated gardens. GPC is a long-term care facility for people with disabilities. It is home to 114 residents living with physical disabilities and is operated by Vancouver Coastal Health. They have welcomed the idea of growing food and flowers outside.
The name “Farmers on 57th” comes from the location of George Pearson- just west of Cambie and 57th Avenue in Vancouver. While we began as a project under the wing of the Disability Alliance of BC, in 2016 Farmers on 57th formed a non-profit organization.
There are three main parts to Farmers on 57th: the Therapeutic Gardens, Market Garden and Growing Eden garden.
How it all began, in pictures…