Farm takes root in heart of city

Organic morning glory, cucumbers and other vegetables are flourishing in the city center thanks to a project by the Urban Renewal Authority.

To promote a sense of community, the URA recruited the help of PuYU Horticultural Therapy Services to develop the community farm at the junction of Shing Wong Street and Wa In Fong West in Sheung Wan.

The farm is located on a 45 square-meter plot at a previously demolished building in 2014.

It is part of the "Community Making Scheme" of Staunton Street/Wing Lee Street Project in Sheung Wan, where the URA started the farm at the end of last year.

A 27-strong volunteer group, comprising residents of senior centers, neighborhood residents and young people and URA staff members interested in "Community Making Scheme" , was formed in May to manage the farm.

The volunteers decided what to grow after asking the opinions of those in the community, as the produce will be shared with residents in the neighborhood.

Taking into account what plants would grow best in summer, they planted herbs, okra, Chinese spinach, morning glory and cucumbers.

Zoe Chan Wing-yan, cofounder of PuYU, which helps elderly to build confidence and enjoy their old age fully through horticultural therapy, said it's rare to have a nursery in the city center, as there is not much room for green space.

She said the farm would help bring together people in the community and improve their health and well-being.

"We want to get children more involved in the project and in volunteer work. We also want to start doing farm-to-table activities with restaurants nearby," Chan said.

A retired grandmother, Lau, who volunteers along with her retired husband, said "this is a really good way for me to keep fit, as I am old and it's good to get some exercise," she said.

"I've been retired for 10 years now and I really enjoy volunteering Sometimes I come here twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening," her husband said.

Urban farming is becoming popular in the city, with people turning idle rooftops and urban spaces into farms and making the city more sustainable. Some people have also begun hydroponic farming at home.

Meanwhile, URA managing director Wai Chi-sing said the authority had also invited 34 primary school pupils, parents, principals, teachers, as well as district councillors and artists, to create a mural on a 17-meter-long hoarding on Shing Wong Street in Sheung Wan.

Wai said in his blog yesterday the mural, completed at the end of last year, shows the old street view of Sheung Wan and Central.

He also said the URA is preparing another pilot scheme, which will cooperate with primary schools on Staunton Street and organize a community guided tour to give upper primary students a better understanding of the community by introducing them to the culture and history of the district.