Garden focuses on community

The Assiniboine Food Security Alliance (AFSA) Community Garden is gaining popularity.

Warren Crossman, chair of the AFSA said the program, now in its third year, and second of full operation has good support with the 20 plots available either planted, or already spoken for for 2013.

The plots are for anyone wanting a spot to grow a garden.

"It's open to all It's open to anybody of any age," said Crossman, although he added the general interest comes from people wanting to garden but having no access to land, apartment dwellers, or those unsure about how to garden, and can benefit from learning from more experienced gardeners.

In terms of sharing knowledge Crossman said "we have some people volunteering as mentors."

Crossman said the City also has plots available for a modest fee, but the AFSA is not charging. Anyone requesting one "will be assigned a plot," he said, adding there is a limitation based on the number of 15 X 20 plots available.

That said participants are asked to sign a Gardeners Agreement.

"It's really simple," said Crossman, but lays out things such as participants doing basic clean-up and plot care, as well as agreeing that the AFSA and Alliance Church and other participants are not responsible if someone steps on a rake, or similar incident.

Crossman said AFSA does have basic garden tools available for those who need them, and even has a donated storage shed. He added donations to the community garden project, such as tools, are welcome.

The garden is on land owned, and donated to the purpose by the Yorkton Alliance Church.

Crossman said in 2011 they spent most of the year breaking up an area of grass, and preparing for gardens, adding at the location "there is room to expand."

That said they kept the initial area modest.

"We started small," said Crossman, adding they will break more grass as interest and demand for garden plots grows.