INNISFAIL - The Innisfail & District Garden Club wants to expand its community garden for the 2025 growing season.
And Innisfail town council has unanimously agreed to provide a letter of support to the club for its application to secure a FCC AgriSpirit Fund grant.
A report was presented to council by Steven Kennedy, director of operations for the Town of Innisfail, outlining the club’s plans for the club and its intention to seek grant support.
“To meet the requirements of the grant, they are required to partner with a municipal body to receive the funds on their behalf,” said Kennedy in his report, which noted the grant application was due May 15.
The future planned area for expansion is located south of the existing community garden near Dodd’s Lake Manor, he said.
“The area is suitable for the expansion area and any future growth which they haven’t formally specified yet,” he said. “Administration will work with the club to gather that information.”
The club is not asking for any financial or in-kind contribution from the town as part of the grant application, he told council.
As the club does not have non-profit status, the club is seeking assistance with financial management with receiving and reporting of funds if the application is successful, said Kennedy.
Council was told club members would be discussing registering for non-profit status at a future committee meeting.
Kennedy said the project will not proceed if the club is not successful with the grant application.
As well, administration will be working with club members on a formal lease agreement and long-term growth plans.
In the meantime, the club has been busy in town promoting itself and gardening.
On April 7 the club hosted its inaugural Spring into Gardening event at the Lundgren Centre; an event to raise awareness about gardening and the Innisfail Gardening Club.
“It's actually to explore some information about gardening here in Innisfail with people that are trying to start gardens,” said club member Pauline Wigg. “There's a lot of interest in people growing their own food or starting their own gardens, and they don't know where to begin.”
Marion Davidson, manager of the Innisfail Community Garden, said the community garden is “booming” with about 50 members.
“It's basically rented out for the season already,” said Davidson.
She also noted it has been a productive time for the club.
The three-season greenhouse is now fully operational.
There is a new deer fence around the community garden with signage at the gates that dogs are not allowed inside.
And of course there is maintaining “friendly” community relations.
“We're trying to be friendly with our pet owners that come to the garden. We have a box that the Men’s Shed actually built and we're putting tethers in there in a dog dish so that they can tether their pets outside,” said Davidson.
“We’re still saying, ‘we’re inviting you to come with your dog but you just can't bring it inside'.”
