Fairfax Food Council

703-246-8404 TTY 711
10777 Main Street, Suite 325
Fairfax, VA 22030
Diane Charles
Project Manager

Department Resources

Urban Agriculture Work Group

The Urban Agriculture Work Group of the Fairfax Food Council is open to all and is comprised of diverse individuals and representatives from multiple organizations. 

This work group supports urban agriculture in the Fairfax area by helping people successfully grow food in our Northern Virginia climate and soil, supporting land sustainability, and exploring policy and systems change to improve and increase healthy urban agriculture. 

The work group provides a forum for information sharing, networking, and developing working partnerships to fulfill its mission. The Urban Ag Work Group also has periodic field trips and engages urban ag professionals to share presentations on current issues or new programs. 

Mission: The Fairfax Food Council's Urban Ag Work Group supports local food production to improve the human, environmental and economic health of our community.

Vision: A healthy, beautiful and equitable Fairfax County where fresh food is grown within walking distance of every kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Expand community gardening opportunities with an emphasis on identifying opportunities that address food-insecurity. 
  • Advocate to reduce policy barriers to equitable local food production. 
  • Educate residents about food production, including gardening, edible landscaping, and environmentally sustainable land use. 
  • Endorse policies that facilitate the start-up and support the continuance of commercial urban agriculture operations both indoors and outdoors. 
  • Encourage the donation of surplus fresh produce to food banks and pantries and advocate for equitable access to that produce.  

Amanda Tindall - Founder & Lead Grower of Lawn to Table

Casandra Lawson - Route 1 Community Farm Manager of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture

Get Involved

The Fairfax Food Council’s Urban Agriculture Work Group meets on the third Monday of the month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Meetings are virtual unless otherwise noted.

Subscribe to a work group or task force to receive meeting agendas, invites, and notes.

Sign up for the Fairfax Food Council Newsletter for updates about urban agriculture, food access and literacy, and food policy, as well as activities and resources from around Fairfax County. The Food Council Newsletter is found under the Health and Human Services section.

Fairfax County Food Gardens

See schools, faith communities, workplaces and neighborhoods that are vegetable gardening and farming in Fairfax County. Send map edits to: HDFairfaxFoodCouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov.

See a larger version of the map.

Community Garden Resources

Do you want to start a community or school garden? We can connect you with an organization that can help.   

Fill out this Microsoft Form to request assistance in starting a community garden. A representative of the Urban Agriculture Work Group will respond within 7-10 business days. 

Community Garden: Planning Your Garden

As you plan your garden, factors to consider include:

  • Sunlight - at least 6 -8 full hours of sunlight daily
  • Drainage – No standing water after heavy rains
  • Slope – Heavy rains can wash away soil
  • Water availability – close to a water source
  • Security/Wildlife – protected from unwanted visitors

Community Garden: How to Test Your Soil

Soil is the key to your garden's success!

  • Get a Soil Test Kit (Available at Fairfax County Libraries, VCE office and some local garden centers)
  • With results, amend the soil with the recommendations provided
  • Good soil takes time!

Community Garden: Involving your Community

Involving your community is essential to success. Consider the following:

  • Create a team of community members willing to take ownership for the creation and maintenance of the garden
  • Know your goals
  • Decide who will have access to the garden and who will receive the food grown
  • Decide what you want to grow
  • Create a timeline detailing your plan for development, breaking ground, planting, and work days

NVSWCD Community Garden Guide

Guide to Community Gardens

Learn everything you need to know about creating community gardens and growing your own food in Fairfax County with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District's Community Gardening guide.

Do You Need Gardening Tools?

The Urban Ag Work Group maintains a Tool Library available for gardeners. Located in the shed behind Daniels Run Peace Church (3729 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22030), the Tool Library collection includes an assortment of shovels, hoes, rakes, a posthole digger, leaf shredder and a small rototiller that are available to borrow free of charge.

To reserve tools, email FairfaxFoodCouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov

Have you grown fresh produce that you would like to share with others? 

Hands on Harvests maintains a list of food banks that accept donations.

Partners:

The Food Council’s Urban Agriculture Work Group has many partners who are engaged with work group activities; provide input and advise to the work group or individual members; and often provide support in a variety of ways to support the mission of the work group. 

VCE logo
Hands on Harvests logo
Arcadia logo
NVSWCD logo
Compost Crew logo
FCPA logo
Northern Virginia Food Rescue logo
FCPS Get2Green logo
Potomac Vegetable Farms logo

Additional Resources

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