New Stories From 'Urban Agriculture Notes'

A Polish allotment was once associated with food shortages and communism. Now, as a new generation rediscovers its charms, the humble dziaka is enjoying an unexpected revival

By Maria Kami?ska
TVP World
Sept 9, 2026

Excerpt:

For many Poles, a dziaka is far more than an allotment. These small pieces of land tucked into cities allow residents to grow their own vegetables, tend flower beds or simply relax with family over a barbecue.

Originally established in the 19th century as places to grow food, dziaki have since become something much more, with cozy cottages, carefully designed gardens and other signs of their owners’ creativity turning them, for many, into extensions of the home.

While permanent residency is not permitted on these plots, many families effectively move their lives to their dzia?ka for the warmer months, embracing them as pockets of countryside within the hustle and bustle of the city.

She told me about the visitors to Montreal who always stay in hotel rooms with a view of the rooftop garden.

By Jeremy Wexler,
The Suburban
Sep 6, 2026

Excerpt:

You will perhaps be shocked to learn, gentle reader, that being the gardening columnist for a community newspaper gets me invited to very few galas. Ditto opening nights. Zero backstage passes. I have never gotten into a swanky after-hours party by flashing my “Garden writers of Canada” card. But I don’t do this job for the glory. I do it so that you can be well informed about all things garden.

Today, however, I got a little taste of life behind the velvet rope. I got a sneak peek at one of Montreal’s hidden garden gems when environmental scientist Eric Duchemin whisked me up to the roof of the Palais des congrès to gaze upon its 3,250 sq. m. green roof. It is a little disorienting to find oneself amidst the high-rise office and apartment buildings of downtown Montreal on a small, working farm.

The program is backed by USDA funds and is one of multiple workforce partnerships as a part of Arizona State University’s Urban Nature community trade school.

By: Lillian Donahue
ABC 15 Arizona
Sept 4, 2026

Excerpt:

The next group of green thumbs are starting a workforce program at Spaces of Opportunity in south Phoenix.

The Agroforest Workforce Development program connects people with nature at the urban farm, ultimately leading to internships and job opportunities.

South Phoenician Jayleen McGehee wants to turn her love for home gardening, into her future career.

“I just started thinking of all the possibilities, just being self-sufficient, growing your own food, teaching other people, and then it also just teaches you a lot about life too,” McGehee said.

For families like Taeel’s, who have lost access to their farmland, a rooftop garden is more than a food source. It is a way to hold on.

By Anera
Sept 3, 2026

Excerpt:

For Taeel, a farmer in the West Bank, the land has always been more than a place to grow food. It is an identity, a livelihood and a connection to something larger than himself. Three years of conflict and repeated settler attacks made it harder and harder to reach his fields, but not impossible to keep growing food.

With support from Anera, Taeel transformed the roof of his home into a thriving greenhouse filled with rows of tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables.

“After three years of war and all of the difficulties,” he says, walking between the plants, “we started harvesting the crops about two weeks ago.”

According to the municipality’s new tally, 737 of the roughly 3,700 local allotments are registered as their owners’ official home addresses during the prohibited winter months.

By Laura Malone
Politiken Journalist
Sept 2, 2026

Excerpt:

The Lilletoften allotment association in Odense is breaking almost every record when it comes to illegally oversized allotment gardens. The largest has been measured at 369 square meters, compared with the maximum permitted 60 square meters. But the nationally known association can likely boast several more records:

No fewer than 79 of the association’s 223 allotments are registered as their owners’ official home addresses during the winter half of the year. And that is despite the fact that the allotment gardens are not allowed to be occupied at all during the winter months. And as if that were not enough, the Municipality of Odense has now reported a full 38 allotment owners in Lilletoften to the police. The same attitude is found in several other allotment associations in Odense.

According to the municipality’s new tally, 737 of the roughly 3,700 local allotments are registered as their owners’ official home addresses during the prohibited winter months.

Video Story

Nandalal | Chandhini R | Wolf Gebhardt
DW
September 1, 2026

Imagine turning household gardens into a community-wide food system. Discover how families in Kanjikuzhy feed themselves and sell the surplus locally.

Video link.

Alexie said the biggest obstacle for the greenhouse is the short season.

By Dez Loreen
CBC News
September 1, 2026

Excerpt:

Located just off the Dempster Highway in the Beaufort Delta, the community of more than 700 residents has seen hunger and food insecurity rise along with food prices. Fort McPherson’s first food bank opened earlier this year and grocery stores have at times struggled to keep food on the shelves during Arctic winter months.

Dinjii Zhuh Solutions — a local not-for-profit — has operated the greenhouse for the last four years. Dinjii Zhuh grows produce to sell to the community and opens the greenhouse to residents so they can grow their own food.

Friday’s celebration included smoked tea, fresh doughnuts and refreshments, and guided tours of the greenhouse.