Department Resources

Urban Agriculture Work Group

Who We Are

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.

Objectives

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.

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.

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

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

Fairfax Food Council

Fairfax Food Council Alert:

Department Resources

Urban Agriculture Work Group

Who We Are

Mission and Vision

Objectives

Get Involved

Community Garden Resources

Community Garden: Planning Your Garden

Community Garden: How to Test Your Soil

Community Garden: Involving your Community

Guide to Community Gardens

Do You Need Gardening Tools?

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

Partners:

Additional Resources

Recent Interactions

Ask Fairfax