Contrary to what one might think, it is not always necessary to be a property manager to launch your urban farm. A tenant’s strong will, a solid file and some preparation can go a long way… and pay off big time!
Check the feasibility of the project
Before moving forward with the installation of the urban farm, it is crucial to ensure that the project is feasible on the property. It is recommended to talk with an urban agriculture expert who will conduct an assessment of the space and determine if such a project is feasible.
If the green light is given, the next step is to clearly define the project, its objective, its costs and its benefits. A clear and complete file will have a much better chance of seducing the property manager and convincing him of the value that an urban agriculture project can bring.
Check out our article on the 7 benefits of urban agriculture to get inspired
Unveil partnership opportunities
Approaching your landlord to launch an urban farm can lead to great collaboration opportunities. Indeed, a property manager can gain a lot by integrating urban agriculture in his building and could be very interested in investing in a project of this kind.
The initiative can then become a great tenant/owner collaboration, nourishing the sense of community within the building and strengthening the ties between the two parties.
In addition, the benefits of such a partnership can be beneficial to the project, possibly reducing the costs associated with it by distributing them between the two entities. On the other hand, doubled support can also help increase the scope of the project, and thus its impact on the community and the environment.
An example of success
A great example of collaboration is the one between BNP Paribas and the real estate manager GWLRA. Thanks to a great partnership between the two organizations, a large-scale project, producing more than 1000 lbs of crops per season, was able to be developed in downtown Montreal.
In this case, the initiator of the project was the property manager, but several projects had already been developed in the past for which the tenant had taken the reins.
The moral of the story: whether the desire comes from the tenant or the owner, an urban farm project has the potential to bring together various actors, create links and mobilize a large number of individuals around a desire for a green, resilient and sustainable city.
Are you a tenant and ready to start your own adventure?
