SUMMARY
Since 1917, the members of the Bond van Volkstuinders (BVV) – or Amsterdam Gardeners Association – have practiced farming as a productive (self-consumption) and recreational activity. During the World Wars, food production took center stage due to widespread food scarcity. However, after the conflict, the BVV switched to a more recreational profile.
The association protects the interests of its members, by enabling them to optimally continue their gardening activities, and seeks to consolidate and expand urban gardens in Amsterdam . Its activities promote social integration of its constituents and contribute to environmental conservation. Currently it counts with 7,200 associates who rent municipal land through the BVV. The organization has a General Board and an administrative office, while each garden-park has its own directory and management committee.
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| The association implements activities to influence policy at local level with the objectives of secure access to land and provide information, services and inputs to its members. The BVV has build alliances with a great variety of actors: municipal offices, environmental organizations, farmers organizations and private enterprises, among others. The threat posed by the increasing pressure to change the land use of garden-parks has fostered alliances with students, press, researchers, institutions working with disabled people and migrants (specially female household heads) in order to legitimate their activity inside the municipality. The BVV depicts a novel urban agriculture experience based on recreation, environment conservation and a concern for improving the interpersonal relations of urban inhabitants.
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