A community garden happens anywhere a community of people gathers to garden. It is a shared place that is planned and maintained by community garden members for the use and enjoyment of the entire community. In a world where time is at a premium and community is a luxury, the community garden seeks to gather people together to help, enjoy, and share in the growing of food for all.
There are many benefits to a community garden. There is an environment that creates a culture of respect and learning. A place is provided where people can acquire technical skills and gain self-confidence. Food is produced that is nutritious and tastes wonderful. Health is improved - physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. A community garden is a green space that everyone can enjoy.
Operating as a project of the Assiniboine Food Security Alliance (AFSA), this community garden is located at 186 Allanbrooke Drive on the Alliance Church property. The garden has been developed for the utilization and benefit of the community. The community garden is open to experienced gardeners, first-time gardeners and those coming to Yorkton from other countries. Community gardeners are starting to get ready to begin their third year of operation in Yorkton.
The community garden facilitates AFSA's vision that "All are living well with the gift of good food," and its mission "Providing practical learning opportunities enabling people to access and consume food appropriate for a healthy life."
The vision of the community garden is "To exist so that people of all ages and backgrounds can share the joy of producing fresh local food while fostering a culture of sustainability, health, life-long learning, co-operation and hands on mentoring within the community." We want to facilitate community coming together to help, learn and enjoy the pleasure of gardening.
Community gardeners have access to a storage shed, roto-tiller and garden tools such as spades, rakes, hoes and hoses to help the would be gardener. We have willing people who will help those who have the desire to learn. The garden is a nice plot of land that has been well looked after. Garden plots are still available for 2013 and there is no fee for being involved in this community garden.
In 2012 fruit trees were planted that lead from the community garden sign on Allanbrooke Drive to the garden behind. Trees were purchased with a grant from Tree Canada.
The Assiniboine Food Security Alliance also started Grow 'N' Share in Yorkton in 2012. Homeowners register their fruit tree(s) with Grow 'N' Share in which they expect a surplus of fruit from their fruit tree. Volunteer pickers harvest the fruit that is then shared between the homeowner, the volunteer pickers and community residents in need of fresh fruit.
Assiniboine Food Security Alliance is looking to secure funding for a seasonal Co-ordinator for the Community Garden and Grow 'N' Share. The role of the community garden co-ordinator will be to develop contacts with other organizations in the community to find mentors and gardeners; connect interested gardeners with mentors; train mentors; co-ordinate care of trees as well as general maintenance of the community garden (watering, planting); develop distribution points for any surplus donated produce; facilitate food workshops (preparation/preservation); and organize community building events.
With rising food costs, bigger carbon footprints as well as poverty, hunger and loneliness issues in the community, the community garden stands as one great option to increase food security and build community relationships.
Call us if you are interested in gardening, teaching, learning, planning, co-ordinating or picking fruit with friendly people. We would love to see you there
