Taxpayers are being urged to expand their support for community gardens.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has been asked to increase its contribution for community gardens from $6,000 in 2012 to $16,000 in 2013.
“We see a growing demand for community gardens but we don’t have the volunteer capacity to meet that demand,” said Wendy Aasen, community garden liaison.
“What is needed is upper level management and co-ordination. Volunteers are limited in their ability and willingness to handle the management and maintenance of the gardens and often cannot retain their commitments.”
If a co-ordinator was hired, they would oversee the day-to-day operations of the two existing gardens — East Hill and West Vernon school — and a proposed site at Okanagan College.
Kindale Development Association is also involved in the initiative and it could contribute $10,000.
“This will help us leverage more grants which supports the programming,” said Aasen.
The community gardens are used by people who want to get outdoors or grow their own food but don’t have sufficient land at home for their own garden.
“It’s a legitimate leisure activity and does fall under the mandate of this group,” said Aasen of GVAC’s focus on recreation.
GVAC officials say they will consider the request for expanded funding.
“It’s a very valuable asset to the community to have this,” said chairperson Mike Macnabb of the gardens
