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 focuses on expanding gardens at schools, houses of worship and other community settings and increasing access to fresh produce through pantry donations from gardens.

Objectives

  • Support and promote new community gardens and improvement of existing gardens.
  • Act as a resource to create connections between gardeners and pantries in an effort to increase access and use of fresh, healthy, locally grown fruit, vegetables and herbs by clients.

2021 Meetings

The Urban Agriculture Work Group meets every third Monday of each month from 10-11:30 a.m.

To get on our monthly mailing list and learn the current location of our meeting, email HDFairfaxFoodCouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov. You can also check the Fairfax Food Council page for up-to-date meeting dates/locations.

Events

Garden Workshop Series

Announcement

On April 14, 2021 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., join the Fairfax Food Council’s Urban Agriculture Work Group as they welcome Brie Arthur, a best selling author and a regular PBS contributor a to the Emmy-winning PBS television program, Growing a Greener World, who will provide a live presentation about how to make your yard more beautiful and productive.  

Learn more about this workshop by viewing its flyer here.

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIuc-2upz4uHtVdYY2NQalUbECeZx6wplUD   

 


Please check here for upcoming workshop opportunities for 2021. 

Watch the July 21, 2020 Workshop: Seed-Saving for Everyone: Easy to do, great for your garden.

 

Find additional information and links mentioned during our workshop series.

Fairfax County Food Gardens

This map of food-producing gardens documents the many schools, faith communities, workplaces and neighborhoods that are vegetable gardening and farming in Fairfax County. If there isn't a garden near you and you’d like to explore starting one, contact the Fairfax Food Council. Map edits can be sent to: HDFairfaxFoodCouncil@fairfaxcounty.gov

To view a larger version of the map, please click here.

Do You Need Some Gardening Tools?

The Fairfax Food Council recently created a Tool Library available to anyone planning to grow edible plants. Located in the garden shed behind Daniels Run Peace Church (3729 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22030) in Fairfax City are a wide assortment of shovels, hoes, rakes, pruners, a posthole digger, a wheel barrow and a small rototiller that are available to borrow free of charge.

Make a tool reservation

Steps for Starting a Community Garden

Watch these videos for some helpful tips to help you start planning a community garden. 

Community Garden: Involving your Community

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

  • Before you build the garden, 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

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: Planning Your Garden

As you start planning your garden, consider the following:

  • Sunlight - at least 6 -8 full hours of sunlight daily
  • Drainage – No standing water after heavy rains
  • Wind factor - protected from high winds
  • Slope – Heavy rains can wash away soil
  • Surrounding Vegetation – avoid trees and shade
  • Water availability – close to a water source
  • Security/Wildlife – protected from unwanted visitors
  • Contamination of Soil - Consider past uses of the land
  • Convenient to tools, bathrooms, visible from a window/door
  • Ownership – access for several years

Resources

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