There’s nothing like sitting down to a meal of healthy, organic food you grew yourself.
The Grow Your Own Dinner (GYOD) project is a community gardening mentorship program, sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Food Action Network and the One Straw Society.
Experienced vegetable gardeners assist new gardeners to start their own backyard growing projects. No plot is too small: you can grow your own dinner on a patio, in small raised beds, planters or pots.
To begin, simply fill out and submit a short questionnaire. A mentor will contact you, arrange to meet, discuss your gardening aspirations, explore options and design a garden plan customized to your location.
Mentors are able to recommend tools, plants, trees and seed varieties best suited to our climate, as well as local sources of additional resources. Most important, they will support you in growing food in your own backyard and will cheer you on, providing guidance each step of the way. Mentors are available face to face, by phone and email, as needed.
Organic produce from your own garden is the most sustainable, affordable and nutritious food you can eat. Gardening provides great exercise, increases local biodiversity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also builds strong families, neighbourhoods and communities. The goal is to help our community reclaim the art of backyard gardening for the benefit of all.
Gardening is more than just a pleasurable hobby — it’s sustainable, small-scale, eco-farming.
To participate in the GYOD program, contact gyod@onestraw.ca.
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