Seeds sown in garden-sharing project

Transition Town Timaru is calling for people to help get a garden-sharing project off the ground to help ensure local food sufficiency.

The recently formed notfor-profit organisation is part of an international organisation which encourages communities to work together to prepare for climate change and the rising cost of oil and its by-products.

A sub-group of the Timaru organisation is the Food Group.
Transition Town Timaru founding member Bob Kalkin was ‘‘thrilled'' the Food Group had been formed.

‘‘It is responsible for acting as a catalyst for the creation of local food production, where the bulk of the food we consume is produced locally,'' he said.

The group had its first meeting on August 2, which was when the idea of sharing gardens to grow local produce came about, to encourage less reliance on food sources outside of Timaru.

The scheme suggested two possible working relationships. Timaruvians could plant or harvest food on each others' properties, sharing the resulting food.

Food Group committee member Silke Schlusnus had a special interest in the gardensharing scheme.
‘‘Food is so essential for everyone. There is emotional and physical health revolving around food. It's central to our culture,'' she said.

Ms Schlusnus aimed to make Timaruvians more aware of the food options available.
‘‘We need land to produce food. It's a supermarket in people's backyard.''

She said a lot of produce went to waste. Timaru had many apple trees, but people did not know about them.
‘‘When we think about the future, we will have less oil and it will become more expensive, and we won't be able to produce food as easily.
‘‘Our food comes from all over the place. That's not sustainable. It may be challenging in the future to maintain this lifestyle.''

The essence of the project was to get people involved and interested in the food-growing process.
‘‘I want people to be aware of the buzz you can get out of gardening as a hobby.''

Many positive things could come out of a garden-sharing scheme - excitement, new skills, establishing friendships and having good, locally produced food.

‘‘Garden sharing can link up anyone. Some people may not have the energy, but have the land, and others will be interested in gardening. They can link up.

‘‘These friendships will strengthen the community. It's about people connecting again. I know a few neighbours, but I'd like to connect with them more.''

Details of the scheme were all ‘‘in the pipeline'', as a group of interested people were needed to co-ordinate the project.
Ms Schlusnus said the project was flexible and would be shaped around what Timaruvians wanted. She expected the idea to ‘‘take off''.

‘‘It's a tool to achieve sustainability of commodity. I really feel this is essential. It is something to get excited about.''

She encouraged Timaruvians to contact Transition Town Timaru with their ideas. - Cerisse Denhardt.