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The City of St. Catharines is providing funding to help community gardens take root.
The City is once again supporting community groups looking to establish new community gardens, and/or improving existing ones. Applications for the annual program are now open, providing the opportunity for incorporated charities and not-for-profit groups to apply to receive matching funds from the City for up to half of eligible start-up costs, including lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels and other materials and equipment.
“The contribution of community gardens cannot be measured in the yield of a harvest – this is also about community building, learning about horticulture and enjoying some time working in the outdoors,” said Ilyse Norton, the City’s Development Horticultural Technician. “This program is a great opportunity for the City to work with community partners to establish new community gardens or enhance existing ones.”
The application process includes a requirement to identify sources of projected funding, a proposed budget, and a proposed workplan that details the work that will need to be undertaken, and the timeline for those efforts. All projects must be completed by Oct. 31, 2023. The funding application outlines all of the program details, including the criteria used for evaluation.
Developing partnerships to expand the community gardens network across St. Catharines are a piece of the City’s larger strategic priorities of fostering environmental stewardship and social wellbeing. In addition to the purpose of growing produce for personal consumption and the environmental benefits, the hope is the project will also reach at-risk populations, such as donating some of the yields, or collaborating with community organizations that offer support services for the vulnerable sector.
Applications will remain open until Wednesday, March 8, at 4:30 p.m. For more information, or to apply, please visit www.stcatharines.ca/CommunityGardens.
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