Halifax urban farm staging comeback after parent organization’s closure

Common Roots Urban farm has locations in Halifax and Dartmouth. (Source: Facebook/Common Roots Urban Farm - Woodside)

An urban farm with locations in Halifax and Dartmouth is staging a comeback this summer after its parent organization abruptly declared bankruptcy earlier this year.

Common Roots Urban Farm, which was founded in 2012, offers community and market gardens in Woodside and Bayers Road. It seeks to build community through volunteer programming and events.

The farm faced an uncertain future after its parent company MetroWorks – a non-profit organization that funded programs in Halifax for 48 years – shut its doors in March.

“We were fully intertwined so when they went bankrupt, we lost all our assets,” said Hillary Lindsay, coordinator of the Woodside farm. “Common Roots shut down at that time.”

Along with Commons Roots, MetroWorks was responsible for the Cunard Learning Centre, EDGE (a job search program), the Stone Hearth Bakery program, OPTIONS Work Activity, MoneyPath Atlantic, Newcomer Women and the Ampersand Café.

Lindsay said Common Roots remained closed for roughly two months until the Ecology Action Centre stepped in as its new parent organization to handle administrative tasks.

Other groups are also supporting Common Roots, including Nourish Nova Scotia, JustFOOD Halifax, Feed Nova Scotia, United Way Halifax and YWCA Halifax.

“In a time of skyrocketing food prices, growing food insecurity and increased isolation, people are struggling,” said Marla MacLeod, director of programs with the Ecology Action Centre, in a news release. “Spaces like Common Roots play a crucial role in helping our communities grow food, connect with one another and foster resilience.”

“We were lucky Common Roots was well loved,” Lindsay said. “It’s a group of committed organizations to make sure this continues.”

To relaunch the farms, Common Roots has started a fundraising campaign with a $20,000 goal; it’s already raised more than $10,000. The money will be used to cover tools, staffing costs, site maintenance and other essentials for the farms, which the group hopes to reopen soon.

“Funding is one the things we had to pull together quickly for this season,” Lindsay said. “So many people had been reaching out. Feeling super humbled. These are people we know, some we don’t. People are being so generous. It’s really wonderful to see.

“We’re so full of appreciation for what people are giving because we know this is not a time when people have a lot of money so we don’t take it lightly at all.”

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