Volunteers and members of Nanaimo Foodshare picking corn at Five Acre Farm, which will be used in the Good Food Boxes sent out to hundreds every month. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

five acre farm

Future secured for valuable south Nanaimo urban farm

Sep 12, 2019 | 6:33 AM

NANAIMO — Urban agriculture will continue to grow in south Nanaimo after the last remaining urban farm was purchased and protected from development.

The City of Nanaimo announced Thursday, Sept. 12 it bought the Five Acres Farm on Park Ave. for $1,375,000.

The land is used by Nanaimo Foodshare to grow crops for their Good Food Box program, which feeds hundreds of people in need every month. Crops grown are also sold at market and the land is used for a variety of programs with community sponsors.

Craig Evans, Nanaimo Foodshare director, said this is a major announcement 20-years in the making.

“It’s a recognition of the importance urban and sustainable agriculture plays in our city. It really means that they’re not going to pave over all of paradise. We’re going to make sure there’s at least a section of it in Harewood.”

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Five Acre Farm will now be included in City discussions about the Harewood Neighbourhood Plan and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.

Evans said they’ll now undergo community engagement sessions about how to best capitalize on the land while also preserving and protecting its natural splendor.

“Of course we have our own hopes and dreams but we want to make sure we hear from everyone in the community as to what’s the best use for this property.”

Five Acre Farm is used alongside Westwood Farm, which was donated by a Nanaimo doctor to built two acres of a vegetable garden.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit