Cochrane Community Gardens Society
Cochrane Community Gardens Society ["CCGS"] came into being in late 2009 with the mandate of facilitating the creation of community garden space in the Cochrane area. We manage our pilot project garden at Glenbow School [which has been in place since 2010] which provides garden space to tenant gardeners and the school population. There are over 90 garden spaces at this lovely little garden, and the space includes perennial gardens, orchards, herb gardens, and communal garden areas where the produce is shared amongst participating gardeners and local service agencies. The herb gardens were created by a local group who implemented permaculture practices in its construction. Our mandate is to use organic and sustsainable practices in the garden operations. There is a six-bin onsite composting system; the orchards are mulched for water retention; the pathways constructed of recycled concrete.
CCGS also maintains the Westerson Cabin garden at Cochrane Ranche which was created with the Town of Cochrane a few years ago to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Cochrane Ranche. It is a historic demonstration garden which showcases various aspects of an early 20th century prairie garden.
CCGS has assisted with the creation of a memorial garden in the east end, provided guidance to the Heritage Hills community garden with the public consultation process and assisted with moderating their public hearing. We were contacted by the developer for input into the design of the Fireside Community Garden, and we provided design consultation to a healing garden used for PTSD programming.
We benefit from the knowledge of our resident horticulturist and the experience of a number of veteran gardeners. We work with a number of different local agencies to run numerous educational programs on a wide range of topics, including garden site preparation, vegetable growing basics, garden box construction, container gardening, self watering gardens, and meal preparation and food preservation.
CCGS has a Facebook page where we post garden growing and food preparation tips on a regular basis. We assist local gardeners seeking to create community garden space in their neighbourhoods and have been contacted this year by individuals in the East End, Sunset Ridge and Gleneagles, seeking information as to what the process entails.
CCGS is a participating member organization in the local Food Connections program which addresses food security needs in Cochrane, including meal preparation for families in crisis and the food rescue programs which fill the free food sheds at two local churches. We have hosted local community dinners showcasing local producers and have regular gatherings at our Glenbow Garden site allowing participants to sample dishes created from the garden produce.
We are all passionate about the use of urban agriculture to address food security needs and we thank you for your interest in community gardening. There are so many benefits to be derived from community gardens, from a personal level to a community wide societal level and we welcome the opportunity to share these with you.
Cochrane Community Gardens Society ["CCGS"] came into being in late 2009 with the mandate of facilitating the creation of community garden space in the Cochrane area. We manage our pilot project garden at Glenbow School [which has been in place since 2010] which provides garden space to tenant gardeners and the school population. There are over 90 garden spaces at this lovely little garden, and the space includes perennial gardens, orchards, herb gardens, and communal garden areas where the produce is shared amongst participating gardeners and local service agencies. The herb gardens were created by a local group who implemented permaculture practices in its construction. Our mandate is to use organic and sustsainable practices in the garden operations. There is a six-bin onsite composting system; the orchards are mulched for water retention; the pathways constructed of recycled concrete.
CCGS also maintains the Westerson Cabin garden at Cochrane Ranche which was created with the Town of Cochrane a few years ago to celebrate the 130th anniversary of Cochrane Ranche. It is a historic demonstration garden which showcases various aspects of an early 20th century prairie garden.
CCGS has assisted with the creation of a memorial garden in the east end, provided guidance to the Heritage Hills community garden with the public consultation process and assisted with moderating their public hearing. We were contacted by the developer for input into the design of the Fireside Community Garden, and we provided design consultation to a healing garden used for PTSD programming.
We benefit from the knowledge of our resident horticulturist and the experience of a number of veteran gardeners. We work with a number of different local agencies to run numerous educational programs on a wide range of topics, including garden site preparation, vegetable growing basics, garden box construction, container gardening, self watering gardens, and meal preparation and food preservation.
CCGS has a Facebook page where we post garden growing and food preparation tips on a regular basis. We assist local gardeners seeking to create community garden space in their neighbourhoods and have been contacted this year by individuals in the East End, Sunset Ridge and Gleneagles, seeking information as to what the process entails.
CCGS is a participating member organization in the local Food Connections program which addresses food security needs in Cochrane, including meal preparation for families in crisis and the food rescue programs which fill the free food sheds at two local churches. We have hosted local community dinners showcasing local producers and have regular gatherings at our Glenbow Garden site allowing participants to sample dishes created from the garden produce.
We are all passionate about the use of urban agriculture to address food security needs and we thank you for your interest in community gardening. There are so many benefits to be derived from community gardens, from a personal level to a community wide societal level and we welcome the opportunity to share these with you.
