First Inter-ministerial Urban Gardeners Group in Ontario
Posted: December 15, 2010
Categories: News from Sustain Ontario
In late September, over fifty people – gathered to celebrate creativity, innovation, and sustainable food and agriculture at the open house of Ontario’s first Inter-ministerial Urban Gardeners Group.
This post takes us back to that day – and to summer – to showcase an interesting urban gardening project at provincial government offices.
The group was started by Mary Roufail, a staff at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, who journeyed to Cuba to learn more about urban agriculture and who upon returning, inspired a host of other food and gardening enthusiasts in Ontario’s Public Service offices to revitalize barren urban spaces into thriving green oases.
( Space outside 777 Bay Before OPS Urban Gardeners)
Rob Taylor, former Assistant Deputy Minister of Municipal Services Division, and Executive Sponsor of the group commended the group for revitalizing urban space for productive food growing. The Ontario Public Service Urban Gardeners group is now a thriving and active group boasting over 30 members from various ministries.
At the event, guests sampled home made dishes featuring garden produce, including stir-fried callaloo and mustard greens, basil pesto with pasta and green tomato relish. The food was a mix of different cultural tastes yet all were grown in Ontario just a stones throw away.
Members of the OPS Urban Gardeners also demonstrated seeding techniques and shared advice on natural pest control, seed collection, pruning, and winter garden preparation. The group aims to inspire others at various Ontario ministries to support local food and learn more about growing food sustainably.
The lunchtime event also featured a seeding competition, which challenged participants to sow radish seeds. According to Roufail, “the garden has been a source of interest among the surrounding community and passers-by – many stopping to complement the initiative and take photos.”
Now that winter is here, the OPS Urban Gardeners’ activities will move indoors and will mainly focus on professional development and workshops (all of which usually includes tasty food and potluck).
(Image to the left: Space after OUG- edible flowers, herbs and vegetables)
For more information contact:
Mary Roufail at: Mary.Roufail@ontario.ca