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History

Name: EDUCATION PROGRAM – Little Green Thumbs
Start: 2025-10-14T16:00:00+11:00
End: 2025-12-16T17:30:00+11:00
Location: Canberra City Farm

History of the Land at 2 Dairy Road

We are very recent custodians of the land we now call Canberra City Farm. We acknowledge thousands of years of connection to this land by First Nations people and respect their continuing culture and relationship to the land we now farm. This history reminds us that this land has stories and First Nations people lived here in harmony with nature for thousands of years. We are learning.

Since colonisation, this land has variously been known as Kelly’s Farm, Dairy Flat Education Centre, and Birrigai at Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Continuous themes are producing food, learning and community. All our farming practices today are guided by regenerative principles and respect for the unique ecosystem of the nearby Jerrabomberra Wetlands where we are situated. Our Strategic Plan commits us to engaging with First Nations communities.

History of Canberra City Farm

In 2011 around 70 people gathered to explore the idea of developing an urban farm in Canberra, inspired by CERES in Melbourne. The following year Canberra City Farm was incorporated with the objective of becoming a hub for the community to learn and share their knowledge and experience of sustainable living. Support and enthusiasm for the organisation’s vision grew, particularly with the Farm’s participation in Floriade (Canberra’s spring flower festival) in 2013 and 2014.

Shortly afterwards, the Farm was able to plant its first seeds in a small plot of land in the suburb of Turner, courtesy of the ACT Government. Much bigger possibilities opened up in 2015 when the Farm moved to the current site in Fyshwick, under a ten-year licence granted by the ACT Government.

Major projects in the first ten years include: development of the low-energy super shed (LESS), garden, orchard and community infrastructure developments, partnerships with organisational members of our hub, education programs, monthly newsletters, participation in the Canberra Region Local Food Strategy 2024–2029, and the launch of our first Strategic Plan 2024-2029.