A new opportunity for community members is about to be launched in Humboldt.This spring, city residents who don't have a garden will be able to rent a plot in which they can grow their own produce, plants and flowers. St. Elizabeth Community Garden is a project that was generated by Food Connection for All, a committee made up of concerned community members that focuses on food security. The Humboldt-based committee came up with the idea and approached Family Services - Partners Building Hope (Partners). From this connection a Community Garden committee was formed to partner together and create a community project that would provide fresh produce and plants as well as satisfying labour, neighbourhood improvement, giving a sense of community and connection to the environment. "The idea actually came about last April," said Crystal Perkins, of Partners, "but it was too late for it to happen in 2011."This year, however, the land has been allocated, the soil has been rototilled, and it is ready to go once people sign up for their plots.An inaugural meeting is planned for April 11 at Partners, when those interested in renting a plot can come and find out more about the project. There are rules for the community garden, such as proper maintenance, no pesticides, and not marketing the produce purposes. This will all be explained to those who attend the first meeting.The land the city has agreed to allocate for the community garden is located in the parcel of land at 12th Ave and 9th St. - near the the old St. Elizabeth Hospital site."We believe that this piece of land was formerly used as a garden by the sisters," Perkins said, "when they used to grow food for the hospital, the convent and for the community."If indeed it was a garden in the 1950s, then the idea of using that land again to grow produce is tying the past with the present by keeping a piece of history in Humboldt, Perkins says.A lot of thought has gone into this project, and about what kinds of things would make it even more beneficial to the community. In addition to the individual plots, there will be community plots where produce such as corn can be planted. There will also be a play area for children, so that parents with tots can come and work in their gardens and the children can play safely nearby. The committee has planned a couple of workshop sessions to help those who may not have an already-developed green thumb. An introductory session on "Gardening 101" will start the season off, and at harvest time a session about preserving and canning will be proposed.The St. Elizabeth Community Garden is a non-profit community project, partnered with Food Connection for All, Partners, Humboldt Seniors and the City of Humboldt.
