Urban Agriculture

Urban Agriculture promotes social equity, and food security, in communities by providing opportunities for increased access to fresh, healthy and local food, recreational and culturally enriching activities, increased environmental stewardship, and knowledge of local food systems.

A few benefits of Urban Agriculture include:

• reducing cost and addressing food security issues by helping residents to access fresh, healthy, locally grown food
• supporting environmental stewardship and biodiversity while reducing urban heat island effect and greenhouse gases
• offering recreational and culturally enriching activities
• providing places for neighbours to come together, strengthen bonds, and build community connections
• offering educational opportunities to increase food literacy for all ages, and grow culturally diverse food
• adding aesthetics and potentially financial value to properties
• increasing wellness, social connections, and awareness of healthy eating habits

The City of Pickering’s Exotic Animal By-law 7110/11 prohibits the keeping of livestock, such as chickens in any urban area within the City.

In June 2023, City staff carried out an extensive stakeholder consultation process involving all levels of government (Municipal, Regional, Provincial and Federal) as well as the agricultural community through the Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee (as outlined in Animal Services Report AS 01-23. Council recommended that a backyard egg production urban farming pilot project not be implemented at this time.

In Ontario, beekeeping is regulated by OMAFRA and the Ontario Bees Act (1990). It is subject to regulations, which specify setback distances from residential, parkland or other public spaces when locating hives. Currently, the City defers to the provincial legislation to address beekeeping in the urban area. From an ecological perspective, the City has several programs to support pollinators in general, including pollinator gardens, plantings, and outreach.

Yes. In December 2022, City Council adopted a Community Garden Policy ADM 240 to establish guidelines for the development and operation of community gardens on municipally owned lands. This policy articulates the role of the City and that of the community garden group and provides a program framework to promote equal access and transparency. The policy also outlines criteria to choose suitable sites.

As part of the development of Pickering’s Community Garden Policy, the criteria that should be considered when siting community gardens:

• current use and future plans for the space
• neighbourhood impact
• accessibility
• safety
• soil test results
• maximum number of garden plots
• access to water
• accessible parking
• consultation with residents whose homes surround the site (if applicable)
• other considerations include sunlight exposure, signage and security to reduce theft, storage area or shed, and type of plots (raised, in-ground)

There are currently two municipally operated community gardens.

• Valley Plentiful Community Garden (VPCG): is located at the north end of Diana Princess of Wales Park (behind the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex). The site is coordinated by the Valley Plentiful Community Garden Committee. Plots are rented to Pickering resident applicants on a yearly basis for the purpose of growing produce for personal use. A few plots have also been dedicated to serve the needs of the local food bank and are maintained by volunteers. The site was expanded many years ago to accommodate a total of 107 plots, 11 fruit trees and a beautiful pollinator garden. Questions about the garden and membership can be emailed to the Valley Plentiful Community Garden Committee at valleyplentiful@gmail.com.
  
  
• George Ashe Library & Community Centre: is located at 470 Kingston Road, Pickering, and offers the 55+ Plot to Plate Program. The community garden features raised beds with plots, which are operated as part of the Community Services Department. Additionally, two ground plots are maintained by volunteers, and a portion of the harvested produce is donated to the local food bank. Residents can apply annually to participate in this program. To find out more, please contact the Community Services Department at the George Ashe Library & Community Centre at 905.420.2254.

Grant opportunities for urban agriculture-related projects through:

• City's Environmental Schools Grant: The City’s Environmental School Grant offers financial support to school boards to help enable schools in Pickering to implement activities that contribute to a healthy environment. The grant has funded raised vegetable garden beds, to educate students and the wider community on the planting process and the importance of growing local food, as well as indoor aeroponic growing towers for students to grow herbs, vegetables, and plants in the school.
• Community Grant: Each year, the City of Pickering invites grant applications from local non-profit organizations to support urban agriculture and environmental sustainability. In the past, grants have funded projects like raised garden plots at a Durham Community Housing site in Pickering, where We Grow Food partnered with residents to make the initiative a success.

Residents can sign up for both in-person and virtual gardening workshops by visiting the Pickering Public Library website and completing the online registration form. Alternatively, they can call the library directly to reserve their spot for either option.