Growing Food. Growing Community.
In the heart of Stamford’s West Side, Fairgate Farm is bringing people together around fresh food, education, and a shared commitment to a healthier community.
The nearly one-acre urban farm was established by Charter Oak Communities in 2011 as part of a broader effort to revitalize the neighborhood and create more meaningful green space for residents. As Charter Oak Communities’ real estate development affiliate, Rippowam Corporation shares that broader commitment to creating communities that extend beyond housing and contribute to the well-being of the people who call them home.
Today, Fairgate Farm grows thousands of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers while creating opportunities for people throughout Stamford to take part in building a healthier, more equitable local food system
Fairgate Farm Near Fairgate Apartment
Fairgate Farm is located near Rippowam Corporation’s Fairgate Apartments, giving residents convenient access to one of Stamford’s unique community resources. From fresh produce and educational programs to volunteer opportunities and community events, the Farm offers plenty of ways to get involved right in the neighborhood.
Fresh Food for Stamford
Fairgate Farm helps expand access to fresh, nutritious food throughout Stamford by providing culturally relevant fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other crops directly to the community. Residents can access fresh produce through the Farm’s Pay What You Can Farmstand, while additional food is distributed through community food-access initiatives and local hunger-relief organizations.
The Farmstand helps remove one of the biggest barriers to fresh food: cost. Shoppers can pay what they’re able to afford with no questions asked, helping more Stamford families bring locally grown, nutritious food home.
Learning Starts in the Garden
Fairgate Farm is also an outdoor classroom where children and adults can learn by getting their hands in the soil.
Programs introduce students of all ages to urban agriculture, with lessons covering topics like plant biology, composting, pollinators, food systems, and sustainability. Depending on the season, students can also get hands-on experience planting, tending, and harvesting crops.
Throughout the growing season, community classes and events offer even more ways to learn, including:
- Gardening workshops
- Cooking and nutrition demonstrations
- Sustainability education
- Volunteer learning sessions
- Other health- and food-focused activities
Together, these programs build practical skills while helping residents connect with the Farm and their community.
Powered by the Community
Fairgate Farm wouldn’t be Fairgate Farm without the people who tend it.
Staff and volunteers work side by side throughout the growing season to prepare beds, plant seedlings, maintain crops, harvest produce, compost, and keep the Farm thriving. Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome, with opportunities to learn new skills along the way.
Individuals, families, students, businesses, schools, and community organizations all contribute their time to the Farm. Volunteers can also share in seasonal harvests, taking home fresh produce while helping grow food for the Greater Stamford community.
For those who would rather contribute outside the garden, there are opportunities to support events, teach classes, share creative talents, and lend professional expertise.
Growing Through Partnership
Over the years, the Farm has welcomed students from local schools and organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, along with corporate and community volunteer groups from throughout the area.
These partnerships support hands-on learning, healthy eating, environmental education, volunteerism, and greater access to fresh food, extending the Farm’s mission throughout Stamford.
Fairgate Farm is rooted in the larger transformation of Stamford’s West Side and a shared vision between Charter Oak Communities and its development affiliate, Rippowam Corporation: that strong communities are shaped not only by quality housing, but by access to health, opportunity, green space, and meaningful community resources.
Grow With Us
Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, interested in learning something new, eager to volunteer, or simply want to experience one of Stamford’s most unique community spaces, there’s a place for you at Fairgate Farm.
Together, these efforts help Fairgate Farm grow as a resource for the Stamford community.