Bringing the Farm to You.
Growing your own food shouldn’t require a backyard. The Patio Farm Initiative transforms rescued materials from Madison’s food system into ready-to-grow gardens designed for patios, balconies, porches, and small spaces.
A Farm Doesn’t Need Acres.
Access to fresh food—and the experience of growing it—shouldn’t depend on having a backyard.
The Patio Farm Initiative brings food production into spaces that are often overlooked: patios, balconies, porches, and other small outdoor areas. By combining rescued materials from Madison’s food system with locally produced compost and established edible plants, Brainplate Grows creates small but productive gardens that are ready to grow.
Created in collaboration with FEED Kitchens, Healthy Food For All, local food businesses, and community volunteers, the initiative turns resources that might otherwise be discarded into something that can nourish our neighbors.
01
Rescued Bucket
Repurposed food-safe buckets from FEED Bakery.
02
Coffee Bag
Used coffee bags from JBC Coffee get another life.
04
Biochar
Created using material from Holy Wisdom Monastery’s restoration work.
05
Edible Plants
Established crops like collards and basil turn it all into a productive little farm.
From Madison’s Food System to Your Patio
03
Brainplate Compost
Made from food scraps collected from FEED Kitchens and 50+ Madison-area restaurants and food businesses.