Northern Ontario Community Garden Yields Results Beyond Expectations

The Webequie First Nation is a remote fly in community approximately 500 km north of Thunder Bay. This growing Ojibway community is becoming a champion of community food initiatives. In an area that struggles with access to adequate food, members of the community – along with the help of local food programs – implemented a community garden. Led by Randy Jacob and with equipment donated by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Food Strategy, volunteers were able to clear half an acre of land to create the garden. With limited supplies, no irrigation system and limited background in gardening, the community garden was able to produce a healthy crop of potatoes by the end of season. The yield was distributed throughout the community, and has inspired plans for the next season. After such a successful first year, the community is looking forward to improving their garden’s yield and increasing crop diversity next summer.

To learn more about the Webequie community and see what they have planned for the future community garden, visit them on the web at http://www.webequie.ca/.