By Adam Kramer, Rachael Chong & Vanessa Ong
Published in September 2021
The road to the Working Centre Market Garden is not through country fields of corn or soy, barley or hay, rather it runs though city streets and neighbourhoods. You can arrive on the Number 6 bus, or by bike or foot, if not by car. And when you arrive, you are met with sun shining through the fruit trees, or raindrops on puddled paths, and the call of a robin or a wren as the osprey circle overhead. You are met by gardeners, eager to tell you stories if you’d like to listen. Eager to have your help with some weeding, or eager to get in a harvest and share it with you.
The multitudes of volunteer gardeners that have worked the land are, after 10 years, far beyond count. Eight cohorts of community-based market gardening interns have spent a season at the garden – gaining the practical skills, knowledge, and the confidence to grow food for themselves and their communities. The garden has also been a place of employment – not only for year-round staff, but also for seasonal workers and casual labourers from our community. Together, we have grown the Working Centre’s “Community Supported Agriculture” share program from 40 members to over 160! Together, we have worked with nature to transform the garden’s initially poor soil it into a thriving ecosystem, teeming with beneficial flora and fauna, feasting on each year’s accumulation of organic matter. Together, we have found common purpose, created an open and welcoming community, and nourished the land as it has nourished us.
After 10 seasons, the garden at 1254 Union Street in Kitchener is in its maturity. While it will always be a place for learning and continuing the work of seasons past, the garden’s steadiness in the face of challenges, whether expected or unforeseen, belies a resiliency in the land and in the community that stewards it. Many of them are here with their hands in the dirt, but multitudes more are in the office or gardening their own plots or sitting down to a meal featuring the fruits of the work that they got from a share or the community fridge. This garden turns community spirit into food!
