Many housing companies have a laundry room and a communal sauna. Setlementtiasunnot has a partner farm. What is this all about? One thing is clear: everyone is welcome.
Have you heard of edible plant fitness? It differs from what fitness centers offer in that no commitment or monthly fees are required. Instead of indoor shoes, you only need soil-resistant shoes and an interest in organic vegetables.
Behind the Malmi campus of Perho Culinary, Tourism & Business College, a surprise awaits. Across the dirt road, a field unfolds, with a vegetable garden within it. An acre of organically grown vegetables and flowers in seven different sections: pumpkins, onions, lettuces, herbs, root vegetables, cabbages, and flowers.
At the edges of the field, there is also a small bee farm that produces its own honey. Everything here is grown organically, without pesticides.
This is Green City Farm, Perho’s partner farm, where Setlementtiasunnot is one of three collaborators.
Perho’s gardener Steven Lowndes looks at the field with satisfaction. Right now, the grounds are peaceful, but the most pleasing sight is different. On the dream farm, crops are cultivated and harvested together. And that is exactly how Green City Farm operates.
The field is not divided into rentable plots; instead, the idea is that all participating actors can benefit from its produce. For example, every Setlementtiasunnot resident is welcome to participate according to their own enthusiasm and energy.
Not all vegetables need to be bought from the store. They can be grown yourself – even if you live in the city. Lowndes encourages residents to come and explore the field.
“You can even book an appointment, so you don’t have to wander the field alone.”
Residents can also plan an event at the house where seasonal organic vegetables are cooked together. The idea of Green City Farm is to use organic vegetables and flowers for purposes that support inclusion and community.
Setlementtiasunnot residents can participate in activities in many ways, from sowing seeds and field work to harvesting. Collecting vegetables and flowers is free, and participation does not require commitment.
The utilization of the field must always be discussed in advance with the farmer, as a certain amount of harvest is available for Setlementtiasunnot’s needs.
Interested? Contact Housing Coordinator Laura Hahkala, tel. 010 340 1330.
