City Farm TLH
The City Farm TLH program transforms blighted properties into accessible sources of locally grown food, promotes environmental and social health through underutilized and vacant site redevelopment, and spurs entrepreneurship through an urban farming and entrepreneurship training program. City Farm TLH began with grant funding from the Knight Foundation, and it continues with grant support from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Pilot Farm
In October 2020, the City began the development of a pilot urban farm on a vacant, underutilized, City-owned parcel at 530 Kissimmee Street. It serves as a training location for aspiring urban farmers and a source for fresh produce for the surrounding neighborhood.
Urban Farming and Entrepreneurship Training
As part of the City Farm TLH project, the City of Tallahassee partners with Tallahassee Community College's Wakulla Environmental Institute to offer a 12-week small-plot urban farming and entrepreneurship training program. The intensive training program helps provide participants with the knowledge to launch their own small farm in an urban setting. Four cohorts have already completed the certification, the last graduating in December 2022.
Spring 2023 Cohort – Applications Open
Starting Feb. 11, Spring 2023 participants can learn how to start and operate a small-farm business through online classes and hands-on learning opportunities at local farms, including City Farm TLH located in Greater Bond. The Urban Farming classes will be conducted on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Entrepreneurship classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m.
The course will cover sustainable growing methods, crop management, marketing, business financing and more. Live instruction will take place at local urban farms and at the Wakulla Environmental Institute, and virtual coursework will be conducted on ZOOM. Free transportation assistance and internet access assistance for virtual classes is available.
To learn more about the program and how to participate, complete the Program Interest Form below. Tallahassee residents 18 years of age and older may be eligible for a scholarship from the City of Tallahassee to participate in the program at no cost, but space is limited with priority given to Neighborhood First residents.
City Farm TLH is one of several projects the City is working on collaboratively with residents of Greater Bond in support of the Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan.
Apprenticeships
To further the experience of participants, the City will assist interested program graduates with securing an urban farming apprenticeship with a local farming partner. These paid apprenticeships are intended to advance participants' knowledge of sustainable and profitable growing techniques by providing work experience at local farms.
Incubator Farms
The City is currently developing an urban farm incubator program in which graduates who complete the 120-hour apprenticeship will have the opportunity to lease City-owned land to start an urban farm. More details on the incubator program will be provided to eligible participants as they become available.