Orlando’s Community Farming Efforts Find Front Yard Homes
Fleet Farming Is Revolutionizing Our Neighborhoods, One Front Yard at A Time.
Courtesy of Fleet Farming
Imagine turning your front yard into a thriving farm– that’s exactly what Fleet Farming is achieving right here in Audubon Park. This nonprofit urban agriculture program specializes in the transformation of ordinary American lawns into vibrant, biodiverse micro-farms featuring edible gardens.
Courtesy Fleet Farming
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Caroline Chomanics, Chief Operations Officer of the global environmental nonprofit IDEAS For Us, and Program Director of the groundbreaking urban agriculture initiative, Fleet Farming. Chomanics, with her educational background in Landscape and Horticulture Technology from Valencia College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Urbanism from Rollins College, shared her insights. “Our fleet farming program is what we’re most known for,” Chomanics explained. “January is the perfect time to reevaluate your home and set goals for the year ahead.”
Caroline Chomanics and Dawson Amico with IDEAS for Us harvest tomatoes at one of their front yard mini farms in Orlando, Fla.
Meet The Farmers!
Dawson Amico, Fleet Farming’s Program Manager, is another driving force behind this program. “Generation Z farmers are at the helm of this initiative, and we currently manage approximately 14 micro-farms in people’s front yards,” Amico proudly stated. Raised in Orlando’s Hunter’s Creek area, he draws inspiration from the positivity and energy of the Fleet Farming team and community participants. Amico’s mission is to empower younger generations to embrace farming, acknowledging that “the average age of American farmers is 58, so we aim to educate and inspire young people.” Clearly, they are making significant progress toward that goal.
Courtesy Fleet Farming
Want To Get Started?
Farming is great for all ages. There is no better feeling than working the soil and planting something. Fleet Farming makes eco-action in the community publicly accessible – through their local front yard gardens, classes, 45+ school gardens in Central Florida and 10+ community gardens.
Swarm Rides
Swarm Rides occur every other week on the first and third Saturday of the month in Audubon Park (3219 Chelsea St, Orlando, 32803). Fleet farmers pedal from plot to plot at these front-yard farms. “Swarm rides are essentially farming bicycle adventures. Depending on the season, we might be planting, weeding, harvesting, or even tasting our crops. If you’re interested in joining us, we ride on the first and third Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Audubon Covenant Park Church,” noted Amico. Don’t have a bicycle or need transportation? The Fleet Farming team will gladly pick you up in their golf cart.
Caroline Chomanics and others with IDEAS for Us harvest swiss chard at one of their front yard mini farms in Orlando, Fla.
Learning Class Series
Fleet Farming offers a series of classes known as the “Fleet Farming Living Learning Class Series.” These intimate classes provide an excellent starting point for learning about agriculture, with topics tailored to the specifics of Central Florida’s planting scene.
Support The Program
Orlando residents can contribute to Fleet Farming’s mission by simply purchasing the produce grown in these front yard gardens. All you need to do is visit the Audubon Park Community Market every Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Stardust Video & Coffee (1842 East Winter Park Road, Orlando, 32803) and savor the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor.
From left to right Dawson Amico, Caroline Chomanics, Kellie Anotnowicz, and Katie De Bari with IDEAS for Us, harvest onions at one of their front yard mini farms in Orlando, Fla.
Want A Garden?
If you’re a homeowner in the Audubon Park area, the Fleet Farming team is ready to help you establish your own garden oasis. Even if you reside outside the district, Fleet Farming’s Edible Landscapes division can design, install, and maintain your garden, whether you’re looking for raised garden beds, natural landscaping, fruit trees, or a combination of these. Consultations are complimentary and available in both the Orlando and Tampa markets. Amico emphasized that Fleet Farming’s techniques go “beyond organic – nothing is synthetic. We practice integrated pest management, and all our sources are organic.” This commitment to sustainable farming practices is something we can all appreciate.
