A farm in every corner that builds community

Urban farming is becoming an integral part of life in cities like Singapore, as it creates a strong sense of connection among people. Roc, the founder of Corridor Farmers, shares his journey from aviation to agriculture, motivated by a desire to bring people together and create sustainable urban spaces. His experience reveals a shift, both personal and communal, as he faces the complexities and rewards of urban farming in Singapore.

From aviation to agriculture

Roc’s move into urban farming came unexpectedly. After ten years of flying with Singapore Airlines, he sought a new direction during the COVID-19 pandemic. "While I was flying, I explored different side ventures—running my café, staying active with fitness—and eventually found my way into farming," Roc shares. Initially, his aim was to find a meaningful activity for his mother, offering her social interaction and a physical outlet at a local community garden. This small gesture grew into the foundation of Corridor Farmers.

Community spirit grows in the garden

Located within Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) area, the community garden became a transformative space for Roc. “The gardeners, mostly elderly residents, created a welcoming corner where food and stories were exchanged,” he explains. In this close-knit environment, Roc realized the potential for urban farming to not only meet local needs but also foster strong connections among neighbors.

A lesson in care and connection

A particularly touching moment occurred when one of the regular gardeners, an elderly woman, fell seriously ill. “When she became sick, everyone in the garden supported her,” Roc recalls. “It wasn’t just about growing food anymore—it was about being there for each other.” This reinforced Roc’s belief that urban farming goes beyond growing vegetables; it builds a sense of belonging and mutual care. "This is what really matters—being part of a community, like a family," he reflects.

From tech to farming focus

The path wasn’t without challenges. Roc soon recognised the difficulty of integrating technology in a group primarily composed of elderly gardeners. “We developed a marketplace app for plants and growers, but soon had to change course when we realised that most of our members were not comfortable with technology,” Roc admits. This led Corridor Farmers to evolve into a business focused on setting up and managing urban farms, offering workshops, consultancy, and services for local produce.

The rooftop garden project

One of Corridor Farmers’ standout projects is the rooftop garden at the Canadian International School in Singapore. Once an unused space, it is now a flourishing green area, thanks to community involvement. "Parents drop off their plants, and the school rooftop has become a place where people care for them together," Roc shares. This space has transformed into an open classroom where students and parents learn about sustainability and local food sources.

The impact on the next generation

Urban farming’s influence reaches beyond the community, especially when it comes to children. Roc has seen how growing food can change how kids view nature and where their meals come from. “A lot of students don’t realise the effort it takes to grow food. For instance, a durian can take up to five years to produce,” he says. These experiences do more than educate—they shape a generation more aware of their impact on the environment. “This about understanding how we fit into the larger world around us,” Roc emphasises.

A vision for the future

As Corridor Farmers expands, Roc's ambition remains focused: he wants to see farms integrated into every corner of the city. "I can imagine micro farms scattered everywhere, adding beauty to our urban landscapes and making our food systems just a bit stronger," Roc concludes. With Urban Farming Month underway this September, he hopes to inspire more people to join in, turning unused spaces into productive, lush gardens that not only feed people but also create connections.

What Roc can teach

Roc offers his insights on navigating the specific challenges of urban farming in Singapore, where space is limited, and leases are often short-term. He shares how local farmers adapt by carefully selecting crops and finding innovative ways to make urban farming work in these conditions. His experience sheds light on practical strategies for making urban farms a viable option even in space-constrained environments.

And he wants to learn

Roc is keen to expand his knowledge of plant science and the financial models that support urban farming. He's particularly curious about how farmers in other regions deal with similar challenges, like limited land and short leases. Roc wants to explore which crops can be grown profitably in these conditions and how to create a sustainable urban farming business model. He believes that learning from other urban farmers around the world will help him tackle these challenges more effectively in his local context.

Want to learn more about Roc and other members from 10 countries around the world?