I moved to Guelph as a new adult in 1996, fresh off the farm, for University. I quickly realized that most people around me had no idea where their food came from, nor were they connected with healthy food. I also saw that this was potentially a huge factor in the general health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial) of individuals and communities. There are countless examples of beginning to address this in many communities, but Guelph is far behind an embarrassing number of Canadian cities. We have an opportunity to change this.
I spent several years in various capacities trying to carve out small paths to facilitate community gardening in Guelph, with much joy, but also much frustration. My frustration got the better of me and I moved on to support therapeutic farming with people who are in various stages of mental health recovery. I see every day the profound power that growing one’s own food can have in so many aspects of the lives of individuals and communities. This is a crucial time in our city for Community Gardens. For the first time ever, Guelph has a growing, organized, open movement of individuals, groups, and key service providers who are dedicated, funded, and mandated to put time and energy into creating a much-needed process of growing these gardens. It is now up to council to do what it takes to let these people do their work. This has the potential to touch and improve the lives of so many of Guelph’s citizens and neighbourhoods.
Thanks in advance–I know you’ll all step up to this vital work!HT