Sundance Commons New Growers Program

What is this project about?

Sundance Commons would like to offer a "Sundance Commons New Grower ” program at our programming site located at Woodbine Racetrack (“Woodbine Cares Community Garden”). A seasonal workshop series that totals 14 2-hour workshops and features a variety of hands-on experiences for new growers in the Rexdale and broader community. There would be space for 20 participants each session and we would promote each workshop through contacting community partners, in-person flyering and social media.

These will begin with Seedlings 101, followed by Greens and Microgreens Production, and Preparing the Garden for Spring. We will also guide participants through crop-specific sessions, including Peas, Beans and Root Vegetables, Growing Herbals in the Garden, and Eggplant, Peppers and Tomatoes.

In addition, we will cover essential topics for sustainable growing, such as Feeding Your Soil and Intro to Organic Pest and Disease Control. Participants will have the chance to explore our growing spaces during the Market Garden Tour and learn practical skills in Basics of Beekeeping, Worm Composting, and Seed Saving.

Why is this project important to the community?

There are many reasons why this would be important to our community. One of the important purposes of this project is to address a need we have heard from countless would-be or aspiring urban farmers, gardeners and growers throughout the years: a lack of educational training programs that are accessible and technical skills-based to develop a more hands-on understanding of the process of growing food. There are many grants available for participants of the youth age, but very few for participants over 29. The purpose of this project is to fill the gap we have identified through our participant surveys and by engaging locally within the food growing movement in the Rexdale area. This program will be open to members of the Rexdale community 18 and over plus those within the nearby area.
Target Completion Date
October 25, 2026
Location
555 Rexdale Blvd.
Rexdale
M9W 5L2

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