Waiheke's Sharing Backyards

Introduction

This is a development of a google map, which will allow people to register their interest in inviting other people to share their backyard for food growing. An example of how this works can be seen at this site from Vancouver - where I first came across the idea of using web technology to serve this purpose.

Vision

The idea is to match up people who want to grow, with people who have land. An obvious opportunity are the long time and elderly residents, who have gardened their properties in the past, but may not be up to it now. They would be able to share their knowledge and land with others. Other benefits are that these elderly people often need social interaction, and them being on-site so to speak means they may be able to do some tasks like watering and weeding, and of course they get some fresh produce. Everyone wins.

Further to the sharing of land to grow food, is the utilisation of fruit trees which are already bearing fruit, that is not being used. Mapping these trees on the same system could lead to a Virtual Orchard, and all the potential

Once it is up and running it could be used by any town in New Zealand or beyond, to serve their need for land for people to grow food on.

Who is involved?

Will Lau (will at danger.co.nz) and Jan Bakuwel have had some conversation about this project. They are both very capable of writing the code to make it happen, though Will has committed to seeing this project manifest.

Contact

Contact James if you want to help or have ideas about how to get this project underway.