Gardening is something we can’t lose touch with. Many people already have, and with the rising costs of food, gardening, producing our own food, is a skill we need to get back. We’re coming to a time where there isn’t going to be a lot of food – these were just some of the thoughts and concerns brought forth at the recent Town Hall meeting to discuss the future of Fort St. John’s Community Gardens.
Over the more than two decades history of the Community Gardens, Fort St. John residents and the various organisations which have supported and sponsored the Gardens during that time, have shared these concerns. Now, with the closure of the Northern Environment Action Team last fall, the Gardens are without a non-profit organisation to manage them.
Maintaining the gardens is a big job, a former NEAT employee told the 20 residents who came out for the meeting on Wednesday. “It took myself and a team of three, two months just to get it cleaned up, working eight hours a day.” But she said, it was gratifying to see the enjoyment people got out of the gardens.
The meeting was called with the intention of finding or forming another non-profit organisation to take over the management and operation of the Community Gardens. But, as Andy Ackerman pointed out, “it’s already April. It’s pretty late in the game for this.”
To form a new non-profit society, and get it up and running, could take up to eight months, Ackerman said. This would leave the gardens empty for at least this growing season. And there are residents who faithfully rent planting beds year after year, relying on the produce grown to feed their families.
I don't think the City can do this alone. It takes a community. - Naomi Gallant
However, there may be a solution. Former Mayor Lori Ackerman was present at the meeting – the Ackermans are both avid gardners – and she suggested that the City of Fort St. John take over the opeation of the Community Gardens, at least for this year.
The City is a non-profit, she said, which would meet the requirements of the Catholic Church which own the land the gardens are on. As a non-profit, the City would also be able to apply for all the grants which NEAT and other organisations have used to run the gardens.
“It’s part of the OCP,” said Lori. “The City must get it done.”
That said, there is still the issue of the work required to get the gardens ready for use, and keep them maintained throughout the growing season. The City has already committed to providing water. What is needed are volunteers. Mayor Lilia Hansen suggested getting Rotary involved, while Andy Ackerman noted that there are a number of companies, such as Pembina and Petronas, which have programs for their employees to be involved in.
Kathy Scheck, Ma Murray Community School Principal agreed with Lori, and said that gardening benefits everyone. Some schools in School District 60 have gardens, and according to Scheck, the kids enjoy learning about gardening and where food comes from.
“Food security is really important. But gardening is also becoming a lost art. Kids don’t know where carrots or peas come from,” Scheck said. She added that “the most successful school gardens are one where volunteers help through the summer.” So getting the whole community involved, rather than just relying on the City to run the gardens is key to the project’s survival.
"I don't think the City can do this alone. It takes a community," said Naomi Gallant, Community Development Coordinator for the City of Fort St. John.
Stay tuned to find out more about Fort St. John’s Community Gardens, and how you can help. Also follow the City’s Community Engagement section regarding the gardens for more information on upcoming meetings https://letstalk.fortstjohn.ca/engage/fsj-community-garden/?fbclid=IwAR2LnfoUtUbvWSEEvGEIdtV_331KkDBtyHvTwc2zKrNF5J8BEj7CPShLr2g