Executive Director Vesna Fa shows some Saskatoon berries at Midwest Food Resources' community garden project. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Community growth

Local community garden projects keep growing stronger

Jul 16, 2020 | 6:10 PM

It seems more people are going green during the COVID-19 situation.

Midwest Food Resources and the Battlefords Family Health Centre community garden projects continue to see a strong interest in the area from those who want to learn how to grow their own fresh produce.

Both organizations have also modified their programs and education components this year to comply with the province’s COVID-19 precautions.

Midwest Food Resources currently has three North Battleford sites — a community garden for residents participating in the project, one for the organization to grow produce for its Fresh Food Box program, and a third new spot that it plans to turn into a garden next year.

The organization helps the community garden project participants get off to a fresh start.

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“We will till [the land], we provide seeds, and we bring water,” Midwest Food Resources Executive Director Vesna Fa said.

Some of the produce growing this year includes peas, beats, chives, corn, carrots and zucchini.

Also this year, the non-profit has a new on-site water storage tank, which was purchased through an agricultural fund available through the federal government. The organizers also have a compost area for those taking part in the project.

Fa said many of the participants are newcomers to Canada, some of whom are already skilled in gardening and miss having some land to grow their own fruits and vegetables. Many Canadians also take part in the project to have access to fresh healthy foods.

“It’s becoming a new trend now, especially [due to] COVID,” Fa said. “I think COVID has slowed down everybody, and more people started gardening.”

Fa said more people are interested in gardening now – both as a pastime, and to produce nutritious foods for their families.

She credits many volunteers to help make the project such a success.

The local community garden projects also thrive with support and donations from area sponsors and agencies.

One of the features of the Battlefords Family Health Centre Community Garden Project as shown this summer. The garden project also promotes education of Indigenous cultural teachings as part of its focus. (submitted photo/Rose Favel)

The Battlefords Family Health Centre’s Community Garden Land-Based Learning Project also continues to flourish.

The organization has two sites — one in Battleford and another in North Battleford — for a total of 65 plots.

Battlefords Family Health Centre Healthy Living Coordinator Rose Favel said participants in the project take part in “hands-on experiences” every day, from learning to grow and cultivate their own fresh produce, to harvesting it when it is ready.

Some of the produce this year includes lettuce, onions, rhubarb and even potatoes.

People can request to participate in the project by contacting the health centre.

There is also an educational component to the project, honouring culture and traditions.

Favel said some small plots were available this year for youth, who may have time available with schools closed due to the COVID-19 situation.

The healthy-living land-based learning community garden project is designed to increase the amount of nutritious food available to families participating in the project.

“Land-based learning is not a special activity or something done on a one-time or yearly gathering [effort],” Favel said. “Our learnings and teaching are deeply embedded into everything that we do. The land-based garden project has provided a bridge of cross-cultural learning in our community.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW