Urban Mushroom Farm – Cultivating a Sustainable Future

CDL is an urban farm that aims to produce high-quality, sustainable mushrooms locally year-round, while promoting sustainability, the circular economy, and awareness of urban agriculture.

Our project aims to promote sustainability and local food production in Lausanne by establishing an urban mushroom farm. By producing high-quality mushrooms sustainably, we hope to improve the quality of life in local neighborhoods by providing healthy food and creating local jobs. We also hope to raise community awareness about the importance of urban agriculture and sustainable food production by applying the principles of circularity. We want to create a space for learning and sharing to encourage residents’ active participation in urban agriculture and strengthen social ties.

Mushroom cultivation is ideal for urban areas because it easily adapts to available spaces. In fact, it can be carried out year-round in a variety of locations, particularly in abandoned or underutilized areas of the city. This characteristic makes mushroom cultivation a wise choice for those seeking to promote sustainable urban agriculture. By using innovative cultivation methods, our farm requires very little energy and resources compared to other forms of agriculture. We use local organic waste such as brewer’s spent grain, bread, and coffee grounds as a substrate for growing mushrooms, thereby helping to repurpose waste and promote the circular economy. Mushrooms are also recognized for their nutritional value and health benefits. By producing high-quality mushrooms, we aim to encourage a healthy, local, and balanced diet within our neighborhood. We are also planning the following activities to foster the social aspect of our project: 1. Farm tours: We will regularly open our farm to neighborhood residents, allowing them to explore our facilities and learn about our mushroom-growing process. The tours will be guided and educational, offering participants a hands-on look at sustainable urban agriculture. 2. Introductory mushroom-growing workshops: We will organize interactive workshops where residents can learn the basics of mushroom cultivation. They will have the opportunity to actively participate by growing their own mushrooms under our guidance. This will allow participants to develop new skills and gain a better understanding of sustainable food systems. 3. Community Partnerships: We aim to establish partnerships with other local organizations and neighborhood schools to organize seasonal events and educational activities. This will foster engagement and collaboration among various community stakeholders. Our project will benefit the neighborhood by providing a local supply of fresh mushrooms, creating local job opportunities, and offering introductory workshops on mushroom cultivation for residents. In addition, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable urban agriculture and to build a community committed to the transition toward a more environmentally friendly and socially just future. By submitting this project, we hope to forge a genuine connection between the community and sustainable urban agriculture. We are convinced that our initiative will help strengthen the neighborhood’s social fabric, educate residents about sustainable food systems, and encourage their active participation.

20,000

Our main location is Les Halles de Beaulieu, which is located in the city center and already hosts an ecosystem of circular economy projects. However, we are open to other proposals, especially if they allow us to repurpose previously vacant spaces.