The Lettuce Grow! Project
This is the project of a community that has become disconcertingly disconnected from our food source. Our city produces less than 1% of its own food while the average age of the farmer in canada is climbing past 65, with few entering the scene. This is a situation that calls out for action in support of local food security.
However grave this may sound to you, it is also an exciting and inspiring oppertunity to reconnect with our sense of community, our land, and our health. The Lettuce Grow! Project/Institute aims to provide a educational resource to the community while creating more community through local agriculture. Broadly, this will include workshops, events, and a hands-on interactive site and gathering place (this last element is in the planning process). It is inspired by the community for the community. We appreciate all feedback and suggestions, and would love if you would like to get involved and get your hands in the soil!
The mandate of the Institute is to:
- Provide opportunities for the community to learn and share about gardening, farming and food
- Increase backyard gardening, community gardening and farming in Campbell River and nearby communities
- Support healthy eating and lifestyle choices
- Promote local food awareness
- Increase interest in local food production and producers
- Address the City's prorities as set out in the most recent Sustainable Official Community Agriculture Plan
If you would like to be kept in the loop about food security action and events in Campbell River, please sign up for our mailing list, check out our blog, or follow us on facebook. We will be offering workshops and events throughout each month, and will be posting them through the above mentioned.
Do you have a gardening/farming talent or passion, or do you know someone who does? This is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and help our community increase its local food production and awareness. It also provides local gardeners, farmers, restaurateurs and other local food producers and experts an opportunity to showcase their services to the local community. I eagerly await your replies!
You can contact myself (Kira) at kira.desorcy@hotmail.com or Julia Peters at North Island College at 250-923-9724 or julia.peters@nic.bc.ca.
"Lettuce Grow" some community around local food security!
Seeding sustainability for seasons to come,
-Kira DeSorcy
