Cultivating change with Jeremy

“Gardening is a great way to practice mindfulness and appreciate the present moment. The challenges you will face and the solutions you will find will bring you a sense of gratitude when you finally get to enjoy your harvests.”

Never far from his hat (the sun is beating down on the roofs!), Jeremy is the very image we often have of farmers: relaxed and in harmony with the plants and his surroundings. Despite his duties as head farmer, nothing disturbs his serenity, his smile and his motivation. His dream? Find the perfect taco in Toronto and see agriculture become part of everyone’s daily life.


Jeremy, Chief Urban Farmer in the Toronto region

Let’s get to know him a bit …!

How did you get into the world of agriculture?

I began working in my grandparents’ garden when I was young. In my early 20s I travelled in Mexico and farmed through the WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program. It was through my interactions with small-scale farmers that I began to become more conscious of the importance of ecologically-minded farming. My passion for agriculture continued through to university. I have recently graduated with a MSc in Geography, where I focused on community food systems planning.

What change(s) do you want to make with urban agriculture?

I want food to become part of our everyday lives. Food is a great vehicle for spur social interactions and to build relationships within communities.

What do you like most about your work?

Being outdoors, working with plants and sharing my passion for growing food with others.

If you could work in agriculture anywhere in the world, where would you go ?

Probably somewhere tropical, like Colombia or Peru.

If you were a vegetable, herb or plant, which one would you be? And why?

I think I would be a cucumber. I like to keep things cool.

If you had to give 1 ultimate gardening tip, what would it be?

It’s all about the process. Approach gardening with a sense of curiosity. Gardening is a great way to practice mindfulness and appreciate the present moment. The challenges you will face and the solutions you will find will bring you a sense of gratitude when you finally get to enjoy your harvests