From harvest to community: How partnership helped Land of Dreams grow
April 1, 2026
À la ferme urbaine Land of Dreams, des membres de la communauté assistent à une performance de danse lors du marché hebdomadaire.
Laughter, music, and the smell of delicious food filled the air at the Land of Dreams Fall Harvest Celebration. Families gathered at the heart of the 30-acre urban farm to reflect, give thanks, and connect with each other. Though the year was challenging, with heavy rains destroying part of their farm, support from the New Growth Fund helped the organization achieve its main goal: creating an accessible, Indigenous-centered community gathering and growing space.
Strengthening local food access
Land of Dreams, an initiative in partnership with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), helps newcomers to Alberta settle, find community, and build connections with Indigenous peoples through gardening. Community members come from more than 20 cultural backgrounds. They bring knowledge of farming and food traditions from their home countries while learning how to grow food in Calgary’s climate.
Through Right To Food’s Good Food Organization program, Land of Dreams accessed support from the New Growth Fund to strengthen its programs and community space. The New Growth Fund supports community-led projects to strengthen local gardening, growing, and land-based programming across the country. This support increases community food production, improves access for those experiencing food insecurity, and creates inclusive spaces where people can connect, learn, and build a sense of belonging.
Those aims were definitely realized at Land of Dreams where 65 growers, representing about 200 family members, tended to community plots.
Together, they grew 5,000kg of nourishing produce. The vegetables and fruits were incorporated into free youth programs and community dinners. And the rest was sold at the onsite weekly low-cost market and at the accessible food market at The Alex Community Food Centre.
Supporting First Nations and Indigenous leadership
From the outset, Indigenous leadership has been central to the work at the urban farm. But, as a volunteer-run initiative, Land of Dreams couldn’t consistently offer Indigenous programming. The increased funding helped them establish a permanent Indigenous programming role staffed by Jackie Soppit who has served Calgary’s First Nations for 25 years.
Jackie was key to the development of weekly community markets which increased fresh food access for locals and encouraged cultural exchanges between community members. Her guidance, along with Blackfoot Elder Herman Many guns, helps build understanding and respect between First Nations, Indigenous peoples, and newcomer communities.
“
It has been so great to find Jackie interested and willing to participate with us. She is an incredible bridge builder and will do much for creating understanding for newcomers around First Nations and Indigenous issues in Canada.
”
Rod Olson, Founder
What’s next for Land of Dreams?
Land of Dreams plans on making the space more accessible over time with raised beds and pathways. They are also excited about the cultural exchanges that will happen thanks to regular weekly markets throughout the growing season. And with their permanent Indigenous programming coordinator in place, they are looking forward to engaging young Indigenous people in taking back traditional ways of eating.
