Community Garden Australia president Naomi Lacey: “With the cost of living crisis, lots of people are thinking about food security.” Photo: Naomi Lacey.
Spring’s here! Is there a better time to get out in the garden and connect with like-minded green thumbs?
Community Gardens Australia (CGA) is hosting an ACT event on Saturday, 12 October, at Canberra City Farm. The national organisation aims to connect community gardeners through networking events such as this one, as well as provide education opportunities and resources for community gardens.
CGA President Naomi Lacey told Region that while the organisation regularly holds annual events, this is the first time they’ve held events in every single state and territory. This event comes towards the end of the national program.
“We’ve had so much incredible feedback from people at the other events,” Naomi said.
“Everyone has taken away so much knowledge, met some great people and eaten amazing food.”
The ACT event – called Let’s Grow Together – will involve keynote speakers, workshops and stalls, as well as opportunities to mingle and meet other like-minded gardeners over morning or afternoon and lunch, provided by local catering business Queer Food.
Each event starts with a Welcome to Country by local Elders. Photo: Naomi Lacey.
The day will start with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan. The first keynote speaker is Region food writer Lucy Ridge, who will be speaking in her role as part of the national committee for the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance. The second speaker is Horticulturalist Christopher Smith, who owns Tinderry Mountain Herbs and founded the online Herbology Hub to mentor medicinal herb growers.
“I think people will really get a lot out of the speakers. With the cost of living crisis, lots of people are thinking about food security. Lucy will speak to how community gardens can get involved in food sovereignty and localising our food systems,” Naomi said.
“Community gardens are renowned for having massive herb patches, but in this region, they die off in Winter. Chris will be offering some ideas about what else we can do with all those herbs rather than just dry them for the kitchen.”
Community Gardens Australia has run an event in every state and territory this year. Photo: Naomi Lacey.
After morning tea, the day will be filled with workshops about composting, worm farms, biochar and more.
Canberra City Farm, which is hosting the event, will have a stall, as well as other local environmental organisations like Canberra Seed Savers Co-op, SeeChange, Southern Harvest Co-op, Jerrabomberra Wetlands and Canberra Organic Growers Society. There will even be an ice cream van!
The event is aimed at anyone who loves gardening or wants to learn more and get started, regardless of whether they are currently a member of a community garden.
Each event has a different special guest. In Brompton, it was ABC presenter Sophie Thomson (centre). Photo: Naomi Lacey.
Naomi explained that CGA members have really appreciated the opportunity to talk with fellow community gardeners and network with each other.
“Sharing stories and sharing the love: it’s the reason we do events like this!”
The Community Gardens Australia ACT event will be held on 12 October at Canberra City Farm, 2 Dairy Road, Fyshwick. The event will run from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information and to book your ticket, visit the CGA Website. Follow Community Gardens Australia on Facebook or Instagram.
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