Heather Latter
As planning gets underway for the 2013 gardening season, the local Community Garden Planning Committee is requesting the Town of Fort Frances permit the community garden to stay in place at least until the end of October.
The current bylaw amendment, which allows the Lillie Ave. location to be used as a garden, will come to an end this August.
“As typical garden harvest is not finished until mid-October, the end date of Aug. 23 will most definitely have a negative impact on the success of our season,” Krista Nielson, with the Community Garden Planning Committee, noted in a written request to council last month.
She said gardeners could be hesitant to rent a garden plot of fear they may be required to remove their plants before they have harvested them.
Nielson also noted the temporary fencing at the community garden, which has remained in place throughout the winter, was given permission to remain up until after the 2013 growing season has ended.
As such, she is hopeful the town will approve their request to extend the bylaw agreement until the end of October, allowing sufficient time for harvest and clean-up of the site.
Following that, the committee will pursue a request with the town to make the site a permanent location.
But for now, it is focused on the year ahead.
“Having the entire fence in place from the start of the growing season for 2013 will be a huge benefit,” Nielson remarked, noting last year the season was well underway by the time the fence was in place, which resulted in quite a few deer visiting.
She added registration for plots is now open and people can sign up by contacting her directly (274-9827).
However, the committee will be holding a registration session later this month, in addition to a public event (dates yet to be determined) to share information about food security and the community garden.
“One of our priorities for this year is to increase awareness of the garden and the multiple benefits it brings to our community,” Nielson stressed.
She added gardeners again will be encouraged to grow extra produce for the purpose of donating to local food banks and the soup kitchen.
She noted volunteers also will work to plant, tend to, and harvest “shared plots,” donating that produce to the soup kitchen, as well.
As well, the committee is asking people to become “Friends of the Community Garden.”
“The ‘Friends of the Garden’ will be informed about various garden events, as well as opportunities to get involved in numerous different ways,” Nielson explained.
Anyone can sign up—families, students, individuals, clubs, organizations, businesses—and there is no minimum commitment required.
One business which recently jumped on board is Vianet Internet Solutions, which has agreed to host a website for the community garden.
“We’re very happy to have their support,” Nielson enthused, adding it will be great to have a place other than their Facebook page to post information.
The committee also is very thankful to all the volunteers, gardeners, and supporters who have made the garden a success over the past few years.
“[We] would like to extend our thanks to the Town of Fort Frances for [their] co-operation thus far in helping to make the community garden project possible,” Nielson remarked.
“The community garden has enjoyed much success to date, attracting new participants, volunteers, and support each year.
“Numerous local businesses, organizations, and clubs have demonstrated their support of the community garden, and we have also received funding at the provincial level, from the Government of Ontario’s Healthy Communities Fund,” she noted.
Anyone interested in learning more about the community garden is invited to attend the committee’s next meeting set for Wednesday, April 17 at noon at the Northwestern Health Unit.
For more information or to sign up as a “Friend of the Community Garden,” contact Nielson at 274-9827 ext. 3639 or via e-mail at knielson@nwhu.on.ca
