This fall, Earthwise Society is planting the seeds of an exciting new venture: a beautiful and productive Community Demonstration Food Garden that will be a new feature of the Earthwise Gardens at Southlands.
Earthwise Society was one of six recipients of the Scotts Canada Gro For Good Grant, which awards grants to non-profit organizations to help them develop sustainable gardens in their communities. The grants are awarded in recognition of the positive impact that community greenspaces can have on physical and mental well-being.
The food garden will function as a community hub for local residents, providing a welcoming environment where people can make new connections and become more involved with growing food. The food garden will showcase edible landscapes, and demonstrate how to maximize food production in small spaces.
Using the gardens as a focal point for hands-on learning, Earthwise will offer a variety of educational programs for local gardeners, including what to plant, how to grow it, and why to grow it organically.
Next spring, Earthwise will introduce a special series of hands-on education programs geared at youth and their families. The food garden will include a children's edible garden built and designed by youth, for youth. Children from the community will be encouraged to take part in gardening activities, share ideas, and be challenged to take on leadership roles. Children’s garden programs will use growing food to inspire appreciation and respect for the environment and spark awareness about our role in protecting it. In addition, Earthwise will again offer hands-on experiential educational field trips on growing food for school groups, through the Eco-tour program.
The Community Demonstration Food Garden will create a beautiful place to gather and socialize, where community members of all backgrounds can meet, share gardening activities, and work together.
Earthwise will distribute a portion of the produce grown at the Food Garden through Delta Food Coalition to help provide healthy food choices for individuals in need in the community.
If you would like to be a part of the Earthwise Food Garden project email: [email protected].
