The Haliburton Highlands Community Garden Network (HHCGN) is a networking group of community gardens established in 2012. Any group of food gardeners can start a community garden and become a member of the HHCGN. Lead gardeners and/or representatives from each garden act as contacts for their group. A meeting and potluck lunch is held every Fall when HHCGN members come together to share information and plan for the following year.
The Public Health Food Worker with Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides some support to community garden groups as well as people wanting to start a community garden. For information contact Kate Hall at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 3246.
The Public Health Food Worker with Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides some support to community garden groups as well as people wanting to start a community garden. For information contact Kate Hall at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 3246.
What are community gardens and how do they work?
A community garden in its simplest form is a piece of land collectively gardened by a group of individuals interested in growing their own food, where each person has their own plot or shares in planting, maintaining and harvesting the whole garden. Community gardens can be large or very small plots of lands. They can be in the ground, on rooftops, in planters or in raised beds above the ground. Locations for a community garden vary from private land to schools, housing developments, places of worship, vacant lots and on municipal property. Community gardens can increase access to fresh, local produce and can be part of larger food security initiatives.
How is “community” defined?
Community gardens exist for a variety of reasons and each garden is unique to it members. Some involve members of the broader community and provide individuals with access to land to grow fruits and vegetables. For others, the ‘community’ may be a classroom that has a garden on school property to teach gardening or environmental skills. Other community gardens are started to donate fresh produce to local community kitchens and other food programs. Regardless of the reasons for starting a community garden, they all act as a location to bring people together and to build community. They encourage people to work together, communicate and create something collectively.
A community garden in its simplest form is a piece of land collectively gardened by a group of individuals interested in growing their own food, where each person has their own plot or shares in planting, maintaining and harvesting the whole garden. Community gardens can be large or very small plots of lands. They can be in the ground, on rooftops, in planters or in raised beds above the ground. Locations for a community garden vary from private land to schools, housing developments, places of worship, vacant lots and on municipal property. Community gardens can increase access to fresh, local produce and can be part of larger food security initiatives.
How is “community” defined?
Community gardens exist for a variety of reasons and each garden is unique to it members. Some involve members of the broader community and provide individuals with access to land to grow fruits and vegetables. For others, the ‘community’ may be a classroom that has a garden on school property to teach gardening or environmental skills. Other community gardens are started to donate fresh produce to local community kitchens and other food programs. Regardless of the reasons for starting a community garden, they all act as a location to bring people together and to build community. They encourage people to work together, communicate and create something collectively.
Where are the community gardens in Haliburton County located?
Victoria StreetLocation Description: On property of Community Living Trent Highlands (Old Victoria St. School) in Haliburton Village.
Address: 73 Victoria St. Haliburton Garden Description:
*No plots available in 2020 WilberforceLocation Description: Behind the Wilberforce Library
Address: 1101 Holmes Rd. Wilberforce Garden Description:
Partners: Municipality of Highlands East *Not open 2020 Maple ViewLocation Description: Behind community housing and apartments
Address: 2117 Loop Rd. Wilberforce Garden Description:
Partners: CKL/Haliburton County Community Housing Corp. *Plots available to residents only |
Eagle LakeLocation Description: One acre of land owned by Eagle Lake Community Church.
Address: 2405 Eagle Lake Rd., Eagle Lake Garden Description:
Partners: Eagle Lake Church Looking for New members! Highland GroveLocation Description: Beside Word of Life Outreach
Address: 5376 Loop Rd., Highland Grove Garden Description:
*Not open 2020 Three SistersLocation Description: On the grounds of the Minden Hills Cultural Centre
Address: 174-176 Bobcaygeon Rd. Minden Garden Description:
*No plots available to the public |
DorsetLocation Description: Beside Portico Timber Frame & Pizza On Earth on private property owned by Johnson Family.
Address: 2761 Clan MacKay Rd., Dorset Garden Description:
Partners: Portico Timber Framing GooderhamLocation Description: Beside Gooderham Community Center
Address: 1043 Community Centre Rd. Gooderham Garden Description:
*Not open 2020 Seed LibraryThe Haliburton County Public Library’s “Seed Library” is a source for free, local, open-pollinated, pesticide-free seeds. People can take seeds for personal use, grow plants, and hopefully allow a plant or two to go to seed at the end of the season, so that those seeds can be returned to the library to continue the cycle.
Our Seed Library is located within the Dysart, Minden, and Wilberforce library branches. The amount and types of seeds available are subject to supply (donations) and demand; sometimes we run completely out. We ask people who are dropping off seeds to please try to include the name and cultivar of the seed, what township it was grown in and how many years it has been grown locally. The purpose of the seed library is to provide a service to the public which preserves plant varieties through propagation and further sharing of seed. |
