Solutions
Backyard Bounty’s approach is to convert resource dependant yards to resource productive green space while providing many benefits to the City of Guelph, the environment, our society, and the economy. In the 2010 growing season, Backyard Bounty used more than 35 plots throughout the City of Guelph, equalling about 3 acres. This is a very significant amount of space within the city and we plan to double this for the 2011 season.
Crops
There are many environmental benefits to growing vegetable gardens in an urban setting. Gardens have been found to be more biodiverse than lawns, providing habitat for insects, birds, and animals while promoting pollinators. They provide residential ‘cooling’ during summer heat waves as vegetables are better at absorbing the sunlight and heat than grass. In addition, gardens do not require the use of mowers or leaf blowers, thus decreasing air and noise pollution in the city. Furthermore, maintaining a garden uses substantially less water than does keeping a lawn green and we encourage homeowners to install rain barrels for watering the gardens to further conserve of water.
Backyard Bounty grows about 50 different varieties of vegetables including many heirloom varieties within our various gardens. The plants in each garden vary depending on the location of the yard, the amount of sun it receives, whether there is competition with trees, the type of soil and other variables. By growing a diverse variety of crops, we build a system with natural protection against insects, blight, adverse weather conditions and other problems, ensuring that there will always be some vegetable varieties which thrive and survive. We use all organic practices and – no gmo, no chemicals, work to improve the soil health and grow the vegetables naturally.
Local
One of the fastest growing trends in North America is the return of the backyard garden. Even faster (and far more sustainable) than large scale organic farming – is small scale, organic urban farming. You cannot find vegetables more local in Guelph than Backyard Bounty produce. Nearly all of our operations are carried out entirely within the City of Guelph. With the exception of two small properties we use in Arkell, all of our vegetables are grown in the City of Guelph and it is all consumed by Guelph’s inhabitants. In this way, Backyard Bounty epitomizes the local food movement. This localized production system means that our customers may easily know how their food is being grown and can see many of the gardens throughout town before enjoying our produce at several different restaurants throughout town.
Local food production reduces the need for packaging, refrigeration, storage, and transportation of food, decreasing energy usage and costs associated with its production. Backyard Bounty’s model is part of a fundamental shift in food production which helps to build a system of food security into the future.
Economic
Backyard Bounty’s model provides many economic benefits. By reinvesting in small, local community businesses wherever we can, Backyard Bounty helps to stimulate and support the local economy. Our project helps to develop social capital and create a stronger foundation for the local economy through teaching volunteers and homeowners about urban agriculture. By growing productive gardens on homeowner’s properties, it is possible to increase property value and thus improve the tax base. Finally, by providing nutritious food to the community, Backyard Bounty is building a healthy and more productive community that reduces pressure on the health system.
There has been a growing understanding among the population of the importance of fresh, naturally-grown vegetables. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture estimates that demand for locally grown food will rise from $4 billion in 2002 to a $7 billion market in 2012 (Mogk, 2010). Backyard Bounty aims to provide for this growing demand in the Guelph area.
Community
Backyard Bounty gardens imbue a sense of community, identity, pride, and belonging in the City of Guelph through the great degree of community involvement in our business. Between restaurants, CSA members, homeowners and property owners, volunteers and others, Backyard Bounty supports and is supported by over 200 people in our community. One of the most significant contributions we have made to the community is in starting markets at the Trillium Waldorf School as well as the Guelph Montessori School and having our Community Supported Agriculture pick-up at the Chiropractic Centre. This has presented a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about vegetables which they say taste delicious!
Urban agriculture can benefit youth education, tourism, and community development through school programming, work programs, and other agriculture-related activities. It can make the city attractive to new residents and improve the lives of current residents whether through improved nutrition and health or horticultural therapy. Finally, gardens add vitality and colour to residential neighbourhoods of Guelph, making the City more beautiful.
Please visit our FAQs page or contact us for more information about how Backyard Bounty contributes to a better environment, increases food security, empowers the local economy, and builds a healthy community.
Mogk, John. Urban Agriculture: Good Food, Good Money, Good Idea! OECD Insights, 2010. Available online November 14, 2010 at http://oecdinsights.org/2010/09/13/urban-agriculture-good-food-good-money-good-idea/.
Additional Resources
- Locavore by Sarah Elton
- 100 Mile Diet by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon
- Food Inc.
- King Corn
