UrbanGrow: Urban Farming Program

Project Overview

UrbanGrow is PACE’s urban farming program. It shows households, schools and community groups how to grow food in small urban spaces, using organic and low-cost methods.

The Challenge

Rapid urbanization across Kiambu County has greatly reduced the land available for farming. Many homes, schools and community spaces in towns such as Thika have little room to grow food, so households depend on expensive market produce.

At the same time, poor waste management, water scarcity and declining soil fertility affect food production. Small, underused spaces often stay empty, and organic waste that could become compost is thrown away. There is a growing need for sustainable urban farming that works in limited space, at an affordable cost.

Our Solution

PACE established a community-based demo farm in Thika to show how small and underused urban spaces can become productive. The demo farm is a place to learn and try out sustainable urban farming techniques that households and communities can copy.

What the Demo Farm Shows

Urban farming techniques

• Vertical gardening
• Container gardening
• Green wall farming
• Small-space vegetable farming
• Organic food production

Sustainable farming practices

• Compost making
• Bokashi manure preparation
• Organic soil improvement
• Plant tea preparation
• Agroecological farming methods

Water conservation

• Grey water purification and reuse
• Water-efficient irrigation methods
• Sustainable water management practices

Seedlings and nurseries

• Seed nursery establishment
• Seedling management
• Crop planning and selection

Caring for the Environment

UrbanGrow encourages sustainable living by recycling organic waste into compost, reusing plastic bottles for green walls and vertical gardens, promoting environmentally friendly farming methods, and encouraging responsible use of water.

What We Aim to Achieve

We aim to help communities improve food security, get fresh and healthy produce, use limited space productively, learn sustainable farming practices, and build healthier, greener surroundings.

Our Vision

A model urban farming center that inspires communities across Kiambu County to embrace sustainable agriculture and turn small urban spaces into productive green ones.

Learn, Order and Get Involved

• See what we offer: vertical garden installation, organic farming training and workshops, and composting solutions.
• Browse our products.
• Read our urban farming articles.
• Want to learn or take part? Get in touch.