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Oakhill Food Justice Farm

Urgent appeal! - Help us Save Oakhill Food Justice Farm

Oakhill Farm is a community space and food forest in the heart of Preston, that has been an important part of the local fabric since transformation of the vacant, neglected site began in 2021.

In a short time, this once-forgotten, derelict property has blossomed into a thriving, vibrant community hub where everyone is welcome. 

At Oakhill Farm, we grow healthy, fresh food that we are able to donate to local food relief charities. We educate students and community members through farm tours, workshops and hands-on activities about the importance of access to local, nourishing and sustainable food.

We show people how to grow food, and how to cook it. We’ve established a local composting hub for the community to reduce waste and regenerate the soil. We offer opportunities for locals to get their hands dirty and have fun, and we provide internships and employment pathways for budding urban farmers.

Oakhill Farm is also a healing place. A safe place where people can connect, engage, laugh and learn how to grow healthy food in their backyard.We like to think it’s helping dreams come true.

But now, Oakhill Farm under threat.

The land on which Oakhill stands is currently up for sale, and we are urgently seeking funds to purchase it.

Protecting Oakhill as a vital part of community infrastructure will mean that it can serve the community for many years to come.

As passionate supporters of Sustain and our mission, we are asking you to join us to achieve this audacious AND achievable goal.

We know that the future of Oakhill Farm is of great importance to many of you, and we believe that together we can make a real and lasting impact.

Please donate now to help us save Oakhill Farm.

There's never a better time to donate than at the end of the financial year. Sustain is a registered charity with DGR status, and all donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

“Over the past few months, we have been heartened and empowered by the outpouring of support that we have received from individuals, organizations, and philanthropists who believe in the value of sustainable urban farming and community connection through healthy food growing and education. We have been fortunate to secure some significant donations, but we still have a way to go to reach our ambitious goal, and we are encouraging the community to get behind the campaign,” says Dr Nick Rose, Executive Director, Sustain

Accessible and regenerative green spaces like Oakhill Justice Farm aren’t just vital for our suburbs. They’re absolutely pivotal to creating a vibrant and healthy city - and country - for all.

You can make a difference and help save Oakhill Farm today.

Donate now to help us save Oakhill Farm. 

If you'd like to find out more about Oakhill Food Justice Farm, you can visit the website at oakhillfarm.org.au .

A little more about Oakhill Farm

Located on the corner of Plenty Road and Tyler street, the ‘Oakhill Food Justice Farm’ is Sustain’s second urban farm in Melbourne and represents an important next step in realizing the city-wide vision of a thriving Urban Farm and Food Justice Training Network.

A 'food is free' initiative, 100% of the produce grown onsite is distributed amongst Oakhill farmers and through food relief initiatives. By offering training in urban agriculture and peer-to-peer networking opportunities, Oakhill Food Justice Farm not only builds food systems literacy but empowers community members with new skills and stronger social connections.

The history of Oakhill

In the latter half of 2021, despite challenges from an ever-changing pandemic environment, the transformation of the former St Mary’s vicarage into a contemporary urban farm and community engagement space began.

The Oakhill Food Justice Farm site in August 2021.

At the first co-design event on the 2nd of September, current and emerging partners of Oakhill Food Justice Farm toured the site digitally and participated in an online conversation on the Farm’s future. Participants from neighbourhood houses, community centres, Learn Local Employment Networks and Local Council helped shape the future of 233 Tyler St with plans for community facilitated farming, food forestry and an educational composting program. 

Co-design - an invitational, participatory, collaborative approach to design allowing for a wide range of participants to have a voice at every stage. 

On the 19th of September, Oak Hill Farm hosted an Open day and Co-design for local residents, organisations and broader public. Conversations, presentations and interactive activities defined the program, including presentations on "Food Justice Farms from across the Globe" and an educational workshop “Gardening and Urban Farm Activities” about domestic composting, raised garden beds and seeding. 

Through a collaborative design process with local community, the farm is now a vibrant space for nutritious food production, engagement, education, connection with nature and source of food security, facilitating the emergence of a flourishing group of community members and first generation youth farmers passionate about urban food production.

The farm continues to build on the work of Sustain's flagship Melbourne Food Hub Farm in Alphington through community workshops and events

Oakhill partners & supporters

Oakhill Food Justice Farm builds on the work of Sustain's flagship Melbourne Food Hub Farm in Alphington and the newly established urban food garden at Bridge Darebin. The initial phase of this work is made possible with funding from the Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Australian Ethical Foundation, and the City of Darebin, in conjunction with Sustain: The Australian Food Network. 

Join in on the myriad of ways to contribute to Oakhill Farm: 

The Oakhill Food Justice Farm project is generously supported by the Bennelong Foundation, the City of Darebin, and the Jack Brockhoff Foundation.