Fresh, Local and Seasonal
Archana Stalin, my Harvest Farms
Archana Stalin, the founder of myHarvest Farms, shared her inspiring journey in peri-urban agriculture, highlighting her passion for sustainable farming, connecting with consumers, and educating children about food origins.
Archana highlighted the importance of passion, innovation, and community engagement in promoting sustainable agriculture. Her journey from terrace
gardening to establishing myHarvest Farms demonstrates the potential for individuals to make a significant contribution to the food system. Her
emphasis on connecting farmers and consumers, educating children, and promoting slow commerce provides valuable insights for building a more sustainable and equitable food future.
Connecting Farmers and
Consumers through Community-
Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Archana’s model emphasizes connecting farmers with consumers through community-supported agriculture (CSA). In this model, consumers purchase shares in a farm’s harvest and receive a
weekly basket of fresh produce. This creates a direct
link between farmers and consumers, fostering trust
and transparency in the food system. CSA also
provides farmers with a stable source of income and
encourages them to adopt sustainable farming
practices.
Educating Children through
School Garden Programs
Recognizing the importance of educating the next
generation about food origins and sustainable
agriculture, Archana started school garden programs.
These programs provide children with hands-on
learning experiences, allowing them to grow their
own food and understand where it comes from.
Through these programs, Archana aims to reconnect
children with nature, foster an appreciation for
healthy food, and inspire them to become advocates
for sustainable agriculture.
Promoting Slow Commerce
and Meaningful Interactions
Archana emphasized the importance of slow commerce, eco-friendly packaging, and creating spaces for meaningful consumer-
producer interactions. She believes that by slowing down the pace of food production and consumption, we can create a more
sustainable and equitable food system. Eco- friendly packaging reduces waste and pollution, while meaningful consumer-
producer interactions foster trust and transparency.