CRAY@Downsview (Compost Research Array at Downsview Park Farm) is an experimental microfarm and permaculture space being developed by Crooked Farmz, now entering its fourth season.

It is part of the Many Hands Urban Agriculture Collective, a non-profit partnership along with Zawadi Farm, Ubuntu Farm, SARN Farms, Homestead T.O., and YMCA of Toronto on 11 acres in the southwest corner of Downsview Park.

Our work together as this diverse collection of partner farmers — from market gardeners to urban agriculture educators — offers a strong sense of collective identity, knowledge sharing, and positive networking. Crooked Farmz offers to this collective a community-oriented space for teaching and experimentation with composting and natural farming techniques.

The CRAY@Downsview space includes four thematic areas:

• our compost workshop teaching facility
• the lunar garden and permaculture space
• a growing Johnson-Su compost demonstration farm
• and the beginnings of our landrace squash breeding project.

Come work with us!

To support our work at CRAY@Downsview this season we are offering regular volunteer and paid in-kind opportunities at Downsview throughout the 2026 season. Beginning April 2 we will have weekly blocks for either volunteering on a drop-in basis or attending a formal workshop: Mondays (10am-2pm) and Thursdays (10am-2pm). These would be of particular appeal to anyone interested in gardening, natural farming, ecology, working outdoors, and supporting community.

Interested individuals do not need to commit for the entire summer, but we are certainly interested in those who are piqued by the opportunity and are willing to attend at least on a semi-regular basis throughout the season. We can accommodate up to 10-12 individuals per session.