The unique community garden on the property of Georgian Bay Secondary School that was once the location of a play school has become a real curiosity to passers-by. The project is a joint effort between GBSS and Transition Town Meaford.
It is worth a trip to GBSS to visit the garden, enjoy its uniqueness and feel its potential.
The immediate potential is obvious; a bountiful, healthy harvest.
The less obvious and more important potential is the opportunity for older volunteers to connect with local youth; find common ground and nurture it.
Successful community organizers say that funding is a very poor substitute for enthusiasm and community involvement; both of which will take you through the first phase of building your project.
That being the case, there are great hopes for this garden.
Loads of compost; use of a trailer to collect rain barrels; wood to build a compost bin; individuals released from their ‘day job’ to do gardening workshops; and cash donations are some of the contributions received from Bayview Organic Farm, Sunrise Organics, Scotiabank, Schultz Contracting, Knight Home Building Centre and B&S Riddell.
The long term project goals are clear:
The organizers say that their short term goals may seem less lofty; however, they are a very integral part of the process; weeding, watering and creating a rain water catchment setup.
The setup will be simple in design; a line of wide-mouthed food-grade barrels, adjacent to the green house.
GBSS staff are allowing access to a water outlet until the system is in place.
To create the rain water catchment system, organizers of the garden are seeking donations from the community. A cheque of $20.00 to the Golden Town Outreach Food Bank would purchase one of the 15 required barrels.
Gardening enthusiasts, experienced and novices alike are invited to join in the action. Every Tuesday and Friday morning between 9:30 and 11:00 am., individuals are in the garden, weeding and watering. If you prefer to work in solitude, you can visit at any time.
Don't just be a curious passer-by. Visit the garden, and see if you too can feel its potential!
