Shown is the Vanderhoof community garden during the harvest festival held Aug. 21, 2019. (Submitted by Tom Bulmer)

Shown is the Vanderhoof community garden during the harvest festival held Aug. 21, 2019. (Submitted by Tom Bulmer)

Community Garden organizers looking for more volunteers

The Nechako Valley Food Network is a non-profit and volunteer driven organization

  • Feb. 10, 2020 12:00 a.m.

Nechako Valley Food Network would love to see more involvement from the community for the Community Garden this year.

Maya Sullivan from the Food Network said the group is currently working on their short and long term goal planning.

“However, we intend to maintain what we have been able to establish and are always looking at ways to improve the Garden within the constraints of being a volunteer driven, non-profit organization,” Sullivan said.

The group is hosting a free Seedy Saturday event on Feb. 29.

The Community Garden will be re-opening in the beginning of May for the 2020 season, she said.

Last year, plot holders grew all kinds of vegetables from potatoes, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, cabbage and kale. There were herbs such as basil, rosemary and chives and peppers.

“We even had someone growing a mini watermelon!” Sullivan said, adding there were a variety of apple trees, along with cherry and plum trees as well as rhubarb, currents, raspberries and haskap berries.

Sullivan said the Food Network receives a lot of support from the Nechako Healthy Community Alliance, especially with their administrative and insurance requirements.

The W.L.McLeod Farm to School program also has a big presence at the garden.

“We also really appreciate the support we get from the district of Vanderhoof for maintaining the lawns surrounding the garden, for managing the water supply and especially for their financial support for our annual Community Harvest celebration,” she said.

Another member of the Food Network, Lisa Burgener, said more involvement from the community in terms of volunteers who can spare time to weed or harvest in the donation plots would be helpful.

“Even an hour time would be greatly appreciated,” Burgener said.

People interested in helping out can email Burgener at nvfoodnetwork@gmail.com.

And if there is anyone interested in a garden plot or greenhouse bed for the 2020 season, please email and provide your first and last name, the type of plots desired (raised bed, greenhouse, in ground and how many of each) and phone number.


Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Vanderhoof Omineca Express