Growing up, I never knew much about farmers, bar the occasional mention of them. When anyone did talk about farmers at all, it usually entailed negative connotations about how they lacked education and didn’t have much else to offer society, which explains their relegation to menial work and dismal salaries.
It came as no surprise that these notions had to be obliterated when I visited Edible Garden City (EGC). The local social enterprise is all about the grow-your-own-food movement. EGC’s work includes foodscaping, educating the public about farming, improving Singapore’s food security, running their own farms, as well as other such work.
The New Faces Of Farming
The farmers I met here fell between the ages of 24 and 30, and all of them are tertiary educated. Surprisingly, most of them do not have agriculture-related specialisations. Rather, they were brought together through the common passion for growing food and the desire to make the world a better (read: less processed) place.
“I acquired a romanticised view of farming from reading in my younger days. As I grew older, I realised that several types of challenges were present. I really wanted to be here because after learning about the problems the world is facing with regard to food security, I simply couldn’t take a step back,” said Alexis Lee, 24, who has a business degree but has been farming ever since she graduated. “Edible Garden City is a social enterprise. While we are focused on social and environmental improvements, we still apply commercial strategies to maximise our returns. Therefore, what I’ve learnt in business school can be applied here too,” she explained.
This story is from the Issue 155 edition of August Man SG.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 155 edition of August Man SG.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Passion Rising
Christie's Head of Watches Alexandre Bigler on the burgeoning demand from younger collectors and the stratospheric growth of auction values when it comes to vintage timepieces.
Swiss Exceptionalism
Tourism is rebounding vigorously after the pandemic, and we are reminded once again that nobody does tourism and especially Hotels quite like the Swiss.
The Return Of The Adidas Predator
THE ADIDAS PREDATOR is arguably one of the most popular football boots in the game. It’s the tool of artistry for the likes of legends such as David Beckham, Kaka and Zinedine Zidane.
Actor, Fashion Icon, Future Politician?
The enigmatic Desmond Tan on how he juggles his love for fashion, content creation and acting while entertaining fantasies for a remake of a beloved '80s SBC drama The Unbeatables, and maybe running for Parliament some day.
All I Ever Wanted, All I Ever Needed
Hublot pays tribute to Depeche Mode's Memento Mori with a new Spirit of Big Bang.
BOTTEGA DI CARNA'S CHEF DE CHAMPION
Augustman speaks to Chef lan Tan fresh from his impressive triumph at the World Young Chef Young Waiter competition in Monaco.
THE MATRIARCHS OF WHISKY
This International Women's Day, we celebrate the women who determine the flavour profiles of our favourite whiskies.
THE ART AND THE CRAFT
Metal as canvas - witness heritage artistry through the eyes of Vacheron Constantin.
CAN'T SPELL HEART WITHOUT ART
On the occasion of the second edition of Art SG, we speak to UBS Art Advisor Carola Wiese on her views of art and how the UBS advisory functions in their capacity as curators of a family's potential legacy.
THE RENAISSANCE MAN
Magnus Renfrew tells Augustman that, \"All art was once contemporary. Artists try to make sense of the world and their place within it,\" and he has been helping Singaporeans make sense of their cultural and aesthetic sensitivities with an annual shot in the arm by way of Art SG.