The Archway Urban Farm has received $23,500 through the RBC Foundation to help fund the training for a new modular vertical farming system, the implementation of which was funded through the RBC Tech for Nature grant in 2023.
“At RBC, helping our communities thrive is fundamental to our purpose and we are proud to support the new vertical farming system being developed at the Archway Urban Farm,” said Lisa Campardo, RBC Regional Vice President, Fraser Valley Market.
“Food sustainability has a significant impact on our local communities, particularly those most vulnerable. The opportunity to contribute to the development of unique solutions while also helping to address important environmental challenges, is very exciting.”
“We are extremely thankful to RBC – and for the connections to RBC staff that we’ve made and their level of interest and support for what we’re doing,” said Marina Gibson, Urban Farm manager. “We anticipate we need about 3 growth cycles to properly familiarize ourselves with the vertical farming system.”
The modular farm enables the Urban Farm to showcase the system and food produced to other farmers, schools, and interested groups.
The new system will help strengthen their interactions with the University of the Fraser Valley’s agriculture program as they provide opportunities for classes and practicum students to experience the Ag Tech space being developed.
The farm opted for a Harvest Wall system as it follows a modular set-up, which allows changes to the number and size of plants grown and is designed to operate in small spaces.
The integration of the vertical growth system will allow the farm to grow food crops all year-round while reducing their energy consumption and footprint in the process. During the summer, the unit will allow the farm to grow crops that usually don’t grow well in the heat.
“Spinach is very difficult to grow, so these hyper-controlled environments allow us to efficiently grow one of the most imported vegetables in Canada,” said Arlene David, Urban Farm supervisor.
“As food producers, we are invested in increasing the availability of local food to the community,” said Gibson.
The Archway Urban Farm is a teaching garden that grows produce to sell and for donations to community programs. The Archway Urban Farm also functions as an innovative and interactive learning space that provides workshops for the public, volunteer opportunities and work experience for students.
Those interested in learning more can visit Archway.ca/Farm
“We are extremely thankful to RBC – and for the connections to RBC staff that we’ve made and their level of interest and support for what we’re doing.”
Inside the container farm.
Spinach is very difficult to grow, so these hyper-controlled environments allow us to efficiently grow one of the most imported vegetables in Canada.”