The Future is Agrarian
Common Ground is a Toronto urban agriculture initiative turning underused land into community food-growing spaces, education hubs, and neighbourhood gathering places.As Toronto has grown to accommodate a rising population, the city’s expansion has come at a cost, encroaching on Southern Ontario’s limited fertile farmland. At the same time, fuel and transportation costs continue to rise, while most of the food Torontonians rely on is grown more than 100 kilometres away — and often in other countries altogether. Food is more than sustenance; it is culture, connection, and identity. When we lose sight of where our food comes from, we risk losing touch with an essential part of ourselves. Common Ground exists to help reclaim that connection by transforming underused urban land in Toronto into productive growing spaces, building more resilient local food systems, and creating a more grounded, human-centred relationship to the food that nourishes our communities.
Members
Community Garden Coordinator
Nurturing Local Communities
Our initiative is dedicated to promoting urban agriculture as a solution to food insecurity and environmental challenges. By converting underutilized land into productive gardens, we provide access to fresh fruits and vegetables while fostering a sense of community.
Education Program Manager
Community Education Programs
We offer workshops and programs that educate community members about sustainable gardening practices, nutrition, and food preparation. Our goal is to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to grow their own food and make healthier choices.
Volunteer Lead
Connecting People and Land
Join us in making a difference! We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds to participate in our gardening events, workshops, and community outreach. Together, we can create thriving green spaces that benefit everyone.
Become Part of the Change
Founder
Sara Hodgkinson
Common Ground was founded by Sara, whose work is rooted in the belief that healthy communities begin with healthy relationships — to the land, to food, and to one another. Drawing on a background in Bioresource Management at the University of Guelph, farming experience in Picton during COVID, and more than ten years as an acupuncturist, she brings a uniquely integrative perspective to community growing. Through Common Ground, she envisions transforming underused spaces into thriving places of nourishment, learning, and collective care.