The Nanaimo Community Gardens Society (NCGS) is in the running for a $25k funding grant by the Co-op Community Spaces Program.
One of four project finalists, NCGS aims to build an educational greenhouse in Beban Park with the additional funding. In hopes of expanding its ongoing projects furthering education on local food production, they will involve communities and schools, as well as produce seedlings and produce to be sold and donated.
Since last spring, the Co-op program has donated $1 million towards projects of recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture like community gardens across western Canada.
One of 16 projects funded this year, Nanaimo’s greenhouse main competitors are a community playground in Alberta, a town square in Saskatchewan, and a community rain garden in Manitoba.
William Farris, president of NCGS, hopes the funding will help sow the seeds for tomorrow. “We’re thankful for Co-op’s forward thinking community investing. With their gift of funding for a greenhouse, our knowledgeable volunteers and contractors will be able to inspire citizens of all generations to get growing all year long,” Farris said.
Voting continues until September 25. For more information, visit communityspaces.ca.