Urban Farming to Grow Social Change

Jessey Njau and Misha Shodjaee of Zawadi Farm

Toronto urban farmers Jessey Njau and Misha Shodjaee join us to talk about their journey into growing food and using food and farming as a tool for social change.

Zawadi Farm

Their farm, Zawadi Farm, began on land provided by a local garden centre.

They now farm Njau’s yard, other yards in their neighbourhood, as well as space at Toronto’s Downsview Park, which has land dedicated to urban agriculture.

(This year, Emma is helping manage the Zawadi Farm tomato crop at Downsview Park. Follow Emma on Instagram to see harvest pictures.)

• CLICK HERE TO HEAR OUR PREVIOUS CHAT WITH NJAU, WHERE HE TALKS ABOUT HIS MOVE FROM A TECH CAREER INTO FARMING.

The Path to Growing

Njau explains that he was deeply inspired by Vancouver urban farmer Michael Abelman, who uses urban farming as a way to build community and effect social change.

• CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ABELMAN.

Looking Ahead

Success for Shodjaee and Njau is growing an interest in food production—not growing the amount of space they cultivate.

“We want to be able to grow farmers.”

Broken Crayons Still Colour

Njau explains the significance of the phrase on their sweaters, “Broken Crayons Still Colour.”

“Soil doesn’t ask you questions … I don’t care if you had a broken past.”