The Battlefords Family Health Centre Community Garden Project links its growth directly to the "vast community support" it has received over the past seven years.
A lengthy list of supportive individuals, agencies, organizations and businesses, not to mention the City of North Battleford and the Town of Battleford, was included in the remarks by MC Kent Lindgren Tuesday at the opening of the two community garden sites.
"Over the past seven years," said Lindgren, "we've seen the garden project develop from one lot and 11 families to three lots and 61 families.
The garden sites, one in North Battleford and one in Battleford, were opened with a prayer and song by Elder Verna Whitford and an honour song by Elder Quentin Tootoosis and David Henry.
"Each summer we provide the space, support and tools to grow, but it is our participants who take on the challenge to learn a new skill, get some exercise and increase their healthy eating," said Lindgren. "Just as important is the community that forms as participants meet new people, spend quality time with their families and share in the bounty of the garden."
The community gardens were developed to fit the mandate of the Battlefords Family Health Centre, which is a primary health services site. BFHC strives to co-ordinate existing services from a variety of agencies to provide holistic accessible health care to community members living on and off reserve.
Lindgren offered thanks to past and present BFHC staff for the success of the project, including Rose Favel for the vision that saw the project's start, and current staff Angela Edmunds, Kristin Thomas, Nancy Waskewitch and project manager Carissa Kasper.
Kasper, a wellness worker, noted there are weekly events at the gardens that encourage healthy eating, meal planning and diabetes prevention. There are also opportunities to learn how to preserve what is harvested.
In addition to the 61 family plots, partnership plot holders are BFHC, Battlefords Métis and Indian Friendship Centre, Pamisohk, Jebediah House, Catholic Family Services, Concern for Youth and KidsFirst. Communities in Bloom and the Allen Sapp Gallery Healing Garden are also partners in the project.
