Business Council Awards Grants for 13 Farm Walls Across Wyoming

The Wyoming Business Council earlier this month awarded 13 Farm Wall grants in seven communities throughout Wyoming. According to a news release from the Business Council, farm walls are small, vertical growing systems that do not require soil. The walls date back to the ancient hanging gardens of Babylon. The small footprint of the farm walls allow for food to be grown and harvested within city limits and crowded urban areas, offering another option for bringing fresh produce to a wider range of people.

Grant recipients will partner with local venues to showcase the farm walls as living art and engage with residents and visitors in an effort to educate them about growing food in town. Participants must also work to build enough community support and capacity to carry the project on after the two-year grant cycle is complete. Rooted in Wyoming in Sheridan is one of the grant recipients and their farm wall will be located in Smith Alley in Sheridan, which has been repurposed into a pedestrian walkway with outdoor seating and dining. The produce will be used by Smith Alley Brewing Company and for local non-profit functions.

Rooted in Wyoming Executive Director Lise Foy said that they hope the project will create awareness about different ways to grow food beyond traditional methods and get people thinking about growing their own food. As part of the grant agreement, Wyoming company Bio-Logic Designs will install and maintain the walls, as well as teach the communities how to continue the project and build community engagement. The Farm Wall grants are funded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop grant and administered by the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.