Enhancing Edmonton's Urban Food Landscape:
School of Continuing Education
Capstone Showcase.
Summer 2025.
Explore our student-driven project focused on transforming Edmonton’s urban food landscape. Consider purchasing a vertical garden through our public offer to support sustainable, local food production.
Stack & Sprout
Empowering Edmonton’s Urban Agriculture through Vertical Gardens
In a time when Edmonton faces rising food costs, climate change challenges, limited local agricultural options, and a cold climate that restricts year-round farming, this project presents an innovative solution to transform urban food production. By leveraging 3D printing technology to create vertical gardens, residents can help address the need for sustainable, affordable, and local food sources while having limited space. Students have benchmarked against successful vertical gardening 3d models to recommend great options for purchase directly from local 3d printing services.
This initiative not only fosters creative problem-solving and technological innovation but also aims to produce a comprehensive digital portfolio highlighting student efforts. Let’s cultivate a resilient, sustainable Edmonton—because a thriving local food system is vital for our city’s health and future!
Solve real world problems through the lens of business analysis:
Community Partner!
The Wheelbarrow Gardener
The Wheelbarrow Gardener is a dedicated garden care provider serving Edmonton and the surrounding areas, committed to transforming outdoor spaces with a customer-focused approach. Their experienced staff offers both regular and one-time services for residential, commercial, and homeowners' associations. Specializing in garden maintenance, redesign, consultations, and education, they create beautiful, harmonious, and sustainable environments. Dedicated to eco-friendly practices and environmental stewardship, they deliver exceptional service and inspiring landscapes—focusing exclusively on gardens, not lawn care.
Help Contribute to Edmonton Urban Agriculture KPIs -
What if we aimed for just 20 vertical gardens to make a meaningful impact?
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Number of gardens installed: 20
Number of residents and groups involved: 60
Diversity of people participating: High, with participation across age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Amount of food grown: Each garden produces an average of 10 kg of food per month
Reduced food transportation (food miles): 24,000 km of food miles saved
Water and energy saved per garden: 30% reduction compared to traditional gardening
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Resident satisfaction and feedback: 85% estimated satisfaction rate
New or expanded urban farming projects inspired: 3-5 new projects or expansions inspired by this initiative
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How many gardens stay healthy after 1 year: 80% of gardens remain healthy
Elicitation -
Our Information Gathering
OUR 3D Models and the Reasons Behind our Choices
Build it
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Stack it
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Sprout it
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Build it • Stack it • Sprout it •
Green Garden
Our Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden stands out because it’s fully 3D printable, modular, and designed for easy scalability. Unlike other models, each section can be added or replaced individually, and the angled grow ports improve space efficiency and airflow. It's also compact, making it ideal for both indoor and small urban settings.
EcoSpire "3D Printed, Earth Minded".
In a world of limited space and rising food concerns, EcoSpire offers a smart solution, a 3D printed vertical garden made from sustainable materials like PETG and PLA. Designed for modern urban living, it’s modular, mess-free, and perfect for homes, schools, or restaurants. More than just a product, EcoSpire is a movement toward greener cities, cleaner food, and hands-on sustainability. From teaching biology to growing fresh herbs on a balcony, it adapts to every lifestyle helping us grow more in less space, and grow green together.
Stack & Sprout
What if growing your own herbs didn’t feel like a workout from the 80s?
Welcome to Stack n’ Sprout — where you don’t need a shovel, a six-pack, or a green thumb to grow your own food.
We’ve got two easy ways to get growing: with coconut coir or a mess-free hydroponic setup.
So whether you’re Team Dirt or Team No-Dirt, we’ve got you.
Conquer Food Costs: Cultivate Your Own Veggies at Home
As food prices continue to soar in Edmonton and Canada, it's time to take control of your plate and your pocket? With vertical gardens designed for our local climate, you can grow fresh, pesticide-free produce on your balcony or fence and backyard walls. It’s time to transform unused vertical spaces into sustainable, affordable food production—right at your home. Join us in growing greens and food for Edmontonians, one wall at a time!
“Tiny Space Hero”: Designed specifically for ultra-small homes or apartments.
We’re creating a smart, sustainable vertical garden system that not only saves space and water but also empowers users through a companion app and eco-friendly practices. Ideal for urban living, our solution is perfect for homes, schools, and offices that care about green living.
Fresh Loop - Full circle of sustainability and taste.
Healthy eating shouldn’t be a luxury but in Canada’s long winters and with rising grocery prices, it often feels that way. Why spend $2 on a tiny bunch of herbs when you can grow your own—fresh, organic, and year-round? Our indoor vertical garden brings flavor, wellness, and joy right into your home. Pick vibrant basil, parsley, or cilantro anytime, and enjoy the natural antioxidants that support your heart, kidneys, and immune system. We take care of everything: setup, guidance, and even starter plants. No chemicals, no guesswork—just real food, grown by you. Grow fresh. Eat well. Feel good. Your food, your garden, your peace of mind.
EdVert Garden
We made a smart and fun vertical garden that’s not only great for growing plants in small spaces but also includes a bowl of water with real fish!
Urban Roots
The design we selected follows the principle of “less input, more output” by using a minimal material framework that reduces production costs, simplifies installation, and increases structural efficiency. This lean approach delivers maximum plant yield with minimal resource investment.
Want to get involved without spending $800 and up for similar online offerings?
Edmonton 3D Printed Vertical Garden Public Offerings:
Disclaimer:
No money from the sales of 3D printed gardens will go to The Wheelbarrow Gardener, FiNOM, MacEwan University. All money from the sales fo the 3D printed gardens will go directly to the local 3D printing companies involved. This project aims to support local businesses and promote sustainability within Edmonton and nearby areas. Prices subject to change.
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PrintScanPro
$50 and up for the “Green Garden”
With a decade of industry expertise, our PrintScanPro Edmonton team is committed to delivering excellent 3D printing and scanning services. We collaborate with diverse clientele, such as designers, engineers, artists, and hobbyists, to transform their concepts into vivid three-dimensional creations
Interested in having someone help setup and maintain your vertical garden?
How do I set up and install my vertical garden properly?
What types of plants are best suited for vertical gardens, especially in Edmonton's climate?
How do I care for and maintain my vertical garden to ensure healthy growth?
How do I clean and troubleshoot my vertical garden if it gets clogged or experiences issues?
Can I grow herbs and vegetables year-round using these vertical gardens, and what additional steps are needed for winter care?
Special Thanks!
MacEwan University Makerspace
The Makerspace at MacEwan University offers access to tools and equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, virtual reality headsets, and multimedia resources to support students, faculty, and staff in their research, projects, and creative pursuits.
Special thanks to the Makerspace for providing 3D printing and prototype guidance for our student-driven project.
Special Thanks!
MacEwan University Sustainability Program
MacEwan University's Sustainability Program is dedicated to creating an environmentally healthy and equitable future through innovative campus projects, community engagement, and interdisciplinary courses. Recent initiatives include urban beekeeping, campus gardens, and sustainability education, all aimed at fostering social, environmental, and economic resilience.
Special thanks to MacEwan for a tour of their vertical gardens that helped guide decisions on our project..
Special Thanks!
Veg Instead ! - A "Grow What You Eat" Initiative by the
City of Edmonton
The Veg Instead! initiative by the City of Edmonton encourages residents to grow their own vegetables in non-traditional urban spaces such as front yards, balconies, and side yards. This program aims to promote urban agriculture as a sustainable practice that reduces food miles, enhances biodiversity, and supports climate resilience. Participants can grow food directly in the ground, in raised beds, or through creative container gardening.
Our project to create 3D vertical gardens will complement Veg Instead! by providing innovative, space-efficient solutions for urban food cultivation, further enhancing Edmonton’s journey toward a resilient and sustainable city.
What People Are Saying
“Thanks so much for bringing your class to visit the Tower Gardens. They had a lot of great questions, and I appreciated the enthusiasm and engagement.”
— Kaz, MacEwan Sustainability Program
“this sounds like a fantastic project, and I appreciate the focus on sustainability and local manufacturing..”
— Ian, Edmonton 3D Printing Company
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source
Land Acknowledgement
ninisitawêyihtênân ôma askiy kâ-tâkiskâtamâhk, nikotwâsik kihci-asotamâtowin kâ-itamihk ôta ê-kî- otaskanêsicik mihcêt iyiniwak, ôta kî-mâwacihitowak. kihcêyihtowin êkwa kistêyimowin nimiyânânak otâcimowiniwâwa, opîkiskwêwiniwâwa, osihcikêwiniwâwa êkwa isihtâwiniwâw ôki kahkiyaw iyîniwak.