This article explain step by step how a new urban farm, springing up on a former garbage dump in Chiang Mai (Thailand) has become a lifeline for the area’s urban poor communities. It is demostrated how vacant public land can be jointly managed by people and the local government for the public good. The focus, in this case, is on enabling vulnerable communities to produce their own nourishing food, and to extend the engagement and sense of ownership of the urban farm far and wide.