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Friday, July 13, 2012
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Urban farming in Saanich gets serious A growing network of Gorge-Tillicum residents use veggie gardening to connect with neighbours Natalie North
their own, Epstein explained of their intentionally-loose framework. Last year member initiative translated into In front of Gabe Epstein’s home is a book the forming of a seed bank. There’s talk of box – a brightly painted cabinet, marked publishing a book in the months ahead. with the simple instructions to take a book, “You build on the interest and the passion leave a book, or both. of people,” Epstein said. “Where we’ll go, I The box is a catalyst for conversation for don’t know.” Epstein, one of the co-founders of Gorge A recognizable face of GTUF, Deb HeighTillicum Urban Farmers (GTUF), a growing way, is one member attempting to turn group of people within the neighbourhood urban gardening into a viable business. who are connected by their common interHeighway’s Donald Street Market sells proest of building food security and relationduce she has grown at 10 backyard gardens ships. – eight within the Gorge Tillicum neighbour“Because I’m out in the garden, (the box) hood. In exchange for using yard space and isn’t just about books, it’s about water, each week Heighway community,” said Epstein, “A lot of our young returns a box of veggies to whose yard is dotted with foodthe garden hosts. people don’t connect bearing plants. “We get to talk“I just love it,” said ing about all sorts of things.” Heighway, who began growing food with GTUF began four years ago urban farming after a eating. Young people at the hand of Lia Tocher, Kate career working with people think it comes from a Rubin and Julia Menard, three with special needs. “It’s women who decided to take very calming.” grocery store. ” local action against issues of Heighway’s presence at a fuel and food production. stand in front of her home –Paul Gerrard Epstein connected with the on Donald Street each SatSaanich councillor group through the Gorge Tilliurday morning is now a cum Community Association, and in the social event as much as it is commercial. spring of 2008, GTUF’s monthly living room “It’s just fun to know your neighbours,” meetings and backyard garden tours began. she said. “I don’t even care if they buy any“Out of that came what GTUF is today and thing – but of course it’s nice.” it’ll change again tomorrow,” Epstein said. While GTUF is more about sharing plant Today, the group has moved larger meetstarts than turning a profit, monetization ings to Pearkes recreation centre in order to of local farming is integral to achieving a accommodate its roughly 100-person memhealthy economy, Epstein said. bership and any interested newcomers. The group has also forged a close relationWithout collecting any membership fees, ship with Saanich Neighbourhood Place. GTUF often hosts workshops and guest Members run a community garden adjacent speakers on any issue related to growing to the Neighbourhood Place, also at Pearfood. kes, in addition to providing donations to its And without the structure of a formal community kitchen program. society or executive mandate, tomorrow PLEASE SEE: depends entirely on individual members and Saanich farmers, Page A7 which projects they decide to take up on News staff
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
Gorge Tillicum urban farmer Deb Heighway checks her newly planted strawberries on Donald Street. Heighway has 10 gardens, part of the popular spin farming, where vegetables are grown in other people’s garden plots in exchange for a box of fresh produce each week.
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