Okanagan College Demonstration Garden Project

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OKANAGAN COLLEGE VERNON CAMPUS

D e m o n s t ra t i o n G a r d e n P r o j e c t

Okanagan College -

Vernon Campus is

embarking on a project

to create an educational

space to promote

sustainable practices in

an effort to preserve,

stimulate and promote

agricultural and

ecological ventures in

the Okanagan Valley.

This is a Conceptual Design developed in partnership between Element Eco-Design and Okanagan College to explore the possibilities for a demonstration garden project.

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Project Objectives

Site Overview

Water Design

Passive Water Harvesting

Access Design

Outdoor Classroom and Social Space

Greenhouse

Community Farm

College Garden Plots

Food Forest and Native Plant Gardens

Implementation Plan

Budget

Summary

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Table of Contents

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PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Okanagan College - Vernon Campus is embarking on a project to create an educational space to promote sustainable practices in an effort to preserve, stimulate and promote agricultural and ecological ventures in the Okanagan Valley.

The Demonstration Garden Project will incorporates the principles of sustainable development where research, educational programming, and community participation can interact to advance the social, economic and environmental aspects of local sustainable agricultural and food systems practices and projects.

Okanagan College will be able to use the site for new program offerings, research in sustainable development and agricultural/ecological practicums. Faculty members will have a space to teach in an outdoor setting to demonstrate practical applications of theoretical material. Students will benefit from hands-on experience, onsite research and examples of industry best practices. Community members will have a place to gather, learn and benefit from the therapeutic experience of growing plants.

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Okanagan College Demonstration Site

SITE OVERVIEW

The Demonstration Garden space is roughly 1.5 acres of gently rolling hillside.

Site soils are well-drained sandy loams that are suitable for growing most agricultural crops. Laboratory analyses of site soil samples indicate potentially fertile conditions that will benefit from the addition of organic matter through sustainable soil management techniques. The site’s south facing slope receives generous sunlight and is climatically suitable to the widest range of crops but represents a challenge for efficient irrigation. It will be important select crops adapted to the site climate and soil conditions.

A site map will be available to visitors to use as a learning tool as they tour the site. Other educational

tools such as informational plaques and species labels will be located throughout the site.

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WATER

Both passive and active watering features will be constructed to provide irrigation to crops in the most efficient manner possible. Onsite passive water harvesting features include swales, curb cuts into rain gardens, wicking beds and rain barrels. Active water features include a variety of irrigation systems custom tailored to each crop for efficient watering, including drip irrigation.

Bio-swales have already been installed along the perimeter of the site to direct excess storm water to the engineered drainage system in the valley below the site. Additionally,

several contour swales will be installed to collect excess water runoff, prevent erosion and pacify water flow on the landscape. The water will be held evenly along the entire length (east-west) of the site to allow the water to infiltrate into the ground. This will keep the soil moist for longer periods following rain events and help recharge ground water sources. Excess water from the contour swales will be sent into the perimeter swale through a simple overflow at each end of the contour swale. All swales will also serve as main access ways around the site.

Curb cuts in the south side of the parking lot will allow storm water to be harvested and stored in rain gardens. The

Conceptual Design Details

A contour swale is a Permaculture technique for passively harvesting rain and surface runoff. The swale works to distribute water evenly across the landscape, resulting in an efficient system that aids in both irrigating and drought proofing the landscape.

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rain gardens will be constructed around existing trees to supplement their irrigation and process storm water. Excess water from the rain gardens will flow over level-sill spillways to be caught by the highest contour swale and directed appropriately across the landscape or into the perimeter swale.

Rainwater represents a source of nitrogen for plants. Rain barrels will be attached to all building roofs downspouts on the site to collect rainwater run-off. This water can be gravity fed into the community garden for supplemental watering to reduce the use of irrigation water. Overflows from the rain barrels

will be directed to the contour swale via French drains.

Irrigation/drainage specialist will be consulted to ensure efficient design of crop watering and site drainage systems. An irrigation main line has been constructed on the site and lateral lines will be run to individual crops. Emitters best suited to each crop will be used to reduce water consumption. Irrigation controls can be used to optimize water use depending on humidity levels, current rainfall and soil moisture. Weather meters can be installed onsite and connected to irrigation controls to more accurately distribute water to each specific crop.

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PASSIVE WATER HARVESTING

Rainwater runoff will be captured as high as possible in the landscape and stored in either rain barrels or the soil. The passive rainwater harvesting swales will spread the water out evenly across the landscape allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, as opposed to running off. The land will retain moisture longer and creating an evenly hydrated landscape. These systems will be connected to each other via ‘level sill spillways’ so the excess in one portion is used further down the hill by the next feature creating a cascading effect that protects against both drought and flood conditions.

Conceptual Design Details

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ACCESSIBILITY

Site topography and accessibility were key components to the design of the site. The main site paths are either 4’ or 8‘ wide to accommodate wheelchairs, large groups or small machinery. Compacted crusher chip was chosen to keep the paths permeable for water harvesting while still maintaining a solid surface for accessibility. The community farm was located closest to the parking lot were the slope was minimal allowing optimal accessibility for community members. The community farm also contains raised beds that provide members with mobility concerns with a place to garden safely. Picnic tables and boulder seating are located throughout the site to provide members with a place to rest.

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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM & SOCIAL SPACE

The northwest corner of the site can be transformed into a mixed teaching and social space for faculty, students and community users. A semi-circular seating space facing north will provide a space for instruction, presentations or social gathering. Shade trees to the Southwest will provide erosion controls as well as afternoon relief from hot

summer sun. A shed roof structure can be added to provide additional shelter for instructors.

Tables with built-in chairs can be added to provide a space for users to enjoy lunch, work on projects or attend lectures. This social space represents a multi-functional space where college users and community members can come together to share ideas and the space.

Conceptual Design Details

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Adding a Social Space to the site will provide an outdoor a rea f o r s t uden t s and inst ructors to mix wi th community members. This exchange works to build relationships and create belonging for community members, students and staff.

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GREENHOUSE

In the short term, a small-unheated hoop house is recommended for starting crops and season extension. The hoop house will be a 20’ x 30’ greenhouse constructed out of 1” conduit hoops attached to stakes driven into the ground. Dimensional lumber will frame in the ends of the structure and provide lateral support between the hoops. A 12mm interwoven poly is recommended to cover the structure. The interwoven poly has a longer lifespan, is better suited to harsh weather (snow and hail) and acts as a partial shade cloth in direct sunlight.

For a long-term solution for a storage shed, processing area, teaching area and greenhouse; a 15’ x 60’ shed

attached to a 15’ x 60’ poly tunnel or a 30’ x 60’ passive solar greenhouse is recommended. This building would integrate many functions for the site as well as provide an area that would be passively heated. This structure would also function as a four season building that could be used year round and integrated into both fall and winter curriculum. This kind of structure represents sustainable, innovative, integrated building design that would serve as an educational and community meeting space. Successful working models are operational in British Columbia including David Thompson Secondary School Solar Greenhouse.

As the College currently has a residential building program this

project represents an opportunity to provide hands-on experience for students to help design and build this structure.

Conceptual Design Details

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In the future a Passive Solar Greenhouse can be added to align the growing season with

the education season. The rear of the greenhouse can

be used to store supplies and as a wash house to clean

produce before distribution.

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COMPOST SYSTEM

Basic compost bins will be located next to the greenhouse, this central location encourages all users to take part in the composting process. The compost bays will be made up of large concrete Lock-Blocks and will be durable and long-lasting. Ample access to and around the compost bins will allow for bulk deposits and machine mixing when necessary. It is also recommended that compost covers are used to manage moisture, heat and to deter pests. The compost covers are specially designed black fabric covers that are durable and light, the covers can be used to either allow moisture to enter the compost pile or the can easily be flipped over in order to shed moisture away from the pile.

Conceptual Design Details

TOOL SHED

For tool storage for the community farm and students, a 10’ x 13’ shed is proposed. This shed should be modular design, non-permanent structure that can be moved as the need arises. To start with, a shed building donated by BC Housing will be used for tool storage. In the future, a shed that contains a door to accommodate wheelchair access and at least one window for natural light is recommended. One interior light and at least one 110 V plug should be present indoor and one outdoor. The shed roof can be used to capture water in barrels for later use on the community farm. Excess water will be directed into a main swale to help hydrate the landscape.

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The Community Farm space will be a natural, beautiful, space designed to create an atmosphere for learning and growing. This space includes winding paths, seating and shade trees to provide both productive function and positive experience for the users.

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Conceptual Design Details

WICKING BEDS

Wicking beds are a great way to capture and store rain water to passively water raised beds in the Community Garden. Wicking beds are raised beds with a layer of pond liner or 12mm poly in the bottom 2/3 of the bed. The bed has a 2” PVC or ABS perforated pipe installed in the bottom of the bed. The pipe is covered with loose gravel or coarse sand up to 6-10” deep. A layer of landscape fabric is placed over the gravel or sand and the raised bed is filled with soil.

The soil will act as a wick and draw the water up from the bottom, reducing evaporation and frequency of watering. Each bed is equipped with an overflow that can be attached to the next bed to act as the water source. When connected in series these beds can distribute water efficiently to a large number of beds and reduce overall irrigation demands.

COMMUNITY FARM

The Community Farm area will provide users with a space to grow produce collectively and largely for donation. The Community Farm will fall under the Greater Vernon Community Garden Network as another type of community garden. The Regional District of the North Okanagan (Parks Recreation and Culture) supports community gardens through policy in a number of ways including helping to acquire land and establishing agreements with land owners. !

The day to day operations of the Community Farm will be managed under a lead agency who will participate with several partner organizations to guide its development and operations. The Community Farm will be inclusive and

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accessible to people of all abilities and will focus on skill-building and recreation. The Community Farm partner organizations intend to share resources and develop the capacity to hire a coordinator for the site. This will allow programming, training, and volunteer management that will benefit all of the users and contribute to the sustainability of the farm and demonstration garden.

The Community Farm area will utilize raised beds for accessibility and ease,

as well as plots for larger-scale production of annual vegetables. The large plots will be laid out equidistant from the first contour swale, a system referred to as Keyline Design. The garden beds will work to passively keep the water onsite and slowly direct the water from the wetter valleys out to the drier ridges. This system of cropping allows for maximum water infiltration. Keyline often utilizes no-till organic farming methods, which use minimal

disturbances to harvest and cultivate. Keyline also seeks to improve soil depth, biological life and fertility. Although Keyline Design is predominantly used in large-scale agriculture the principles still hold true for this smaller scale design.

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COLLEGE GARDEN PLOTS

Similar to the Community Farm Large Plots, the College Garden Plots will be laid out based on Keyline Design: equidistant from the contour swale. The College Garden Plots can be used for sustainable farming practicums, horticulture training, incubator plots for new farmers and research and development for new crops or agricultural methods. This area provides hands-on experience for students with an ideal growing climate and view overlooking Kalamalka Lake. The site is sure to become a popular destination for students and teachers to practice horticulture, viticulture, farming and gardening.

Keyline design is a technique developed in Australia in answer to dry, fire prone landscapes. This strategy encourages even water distribution for crops and helps to rebuild soil fertility.

Conceptual Design Details

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INTENSIVE ORCHARD SYSTEM

This area will be used to practice intensive orchard planting as used by many large commercial growers in the Okanagan. Students will gain valuable, industry relevant skills that will help them to obtain jobs on commercial orchards. The hands on learning will create more demand for the students receiving the training and reduce training costs of growers.

Skills gained by students will be:• Propagating• Planting• Pruning/Tree Care• Organic Fertilizing• Integrated Pest Management • Harvesting

Okanagan College will benefit from large amounts of fruit being grown on a small piece of land which can be consumed on campus, sold to cover costs of maintaining the farm or donated to local non-profit groups.

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FOOD FOREST

A food forest represents a long-term, diverse, self-fertile food solution for both residential and commercial agriculture. Food forests are a mix of traditional North American agricultural system that incorporates both perennial and annual food, fuel, fibre and fodder crops into one system.

Food forests are based on the natural architecture of the forest (trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, ground covers and root crops) to create an agriculture based on natural forest ecosystems.

Food forests play with different stages of natural ecological succession and choose appropriate species to create productive food growing systems based on existing environmental conditions (light, water, aspect, soil type and topography).

Productive species are chosen (fruit, nut or forestry trees) and are interplanted with support species to provide for all the needs of the productive species (nitrogen fixation, nutrient accumulation, pest deterrent, beneficial insect attractor and mulch plants).

This food forest will be located down slope on the southeast section of the site. The food forest’s location was chosen so it does not compete for light with surrounding crops. It requires less attention so it is best placed furthest away, planted along a natural drainage so the trees will receive supplemental natural watering. It will also create a noise buffer from the road.

NATIVE PLANT GARDEN

The Okanagan is host to many beautiful, beneficial plants that have been used by Indigenous tribes for centuries. These

plants are perfectly adapted to this environment and require very little supplemental watering so they are perfectly placed further away from the main gardens and they will receive enough runoff from storm water to sustain themselves once established.

The Native Plant Garden can be used by instructors to explore the beneficial qualities of these plants. Workshops can be held on topics such as:

• Wildcrafting• Herbology • Xeriscaping/Native Plant Garden Design• Efficient Irrigation Systems

Students, teachers and community members can meander their way through the garden to view this buffet of local food and medicine. Rock benches will be placed strategically to allow a place for rest, observation or contemplation.

Conceptual Design Details

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APIARY

The apiary will be located at the southern point of the site, near the food forest and discovery area. The apiary will provide valuable pollination to all species onsite. The apiary will also allow an area for users to learn about bee keeping, harvesting honey and the essential services bees provide to our natural environment. The apiary will be located amongst trees, shrubs and water to provide a comfortable environment for the colony.

Food forest species are selected for the role they play, this includes a mix of both

productive species(fruit, nut and berry crops) as well as support species(nitrogen

fixation, mulch plants and mineral accumulation).

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In Permaculture, all developments are designed and built according to the principles of:

• Water• Access• Structures

The first step in development will be to have the area fenced to keep out wildlife. Once the fence and appropriate gates are installed to allow machine access, the paths and swales should be installed to address storm water runoff as well as access to all of the areas of the Demonstration Gardens (Phase 1). The access ways will frame the various sites and it will be to the discretion of the College and their partners as to what areas are developed next.

Irrigation has been broken up into each component of the system. The individual irrigation lines can be added as the development proceeds but the initial irrigation rough-ins and distribution boxes should be installed at this time to utilize the equipment onsite.

Phase 2 includes the Greenhouse, Compost Site and Community Farm which represents working from the top down to establish infrastructure. The Greenhouse and Compost Site will allow gardening operations to commence. The Community Farm can be installed as community partners, funds and time become available.

Phase 3 includes the College Farm Sites, which can remain fallow, the Food Forest and other Demonstration areas. These areas can be added as time, money, resources and labour becomes available. The Food Forest represents a long-term commitment and will not start to produce for many years so the sooner it is installed the sooner it can be used as an active demonstration site. The other demonstration areas including the Butterfly Garden, Native Plant Area and Rain Gardens can be added to the system as resources and budget allows.

Implementation Plan

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Finally, the Outdoor Classroom and Social Space can be completed as a final defining space that will signify the site is open to the greater community for interaction. This space will require a few higher budget items so they will require more fundraising efforts and may take longer. Certain

portions of this space such as the Outdoor Classroom may proceed earlier as materials (rocks and cover crop) are already available.

$0 $5,000.00 $10,000.00 $15,000.00 $20,000.00

$20,000.00

$16,160.00

$16,211.20

$18,500.00

Phase 1 - Paths & Swales

Phase 2 - Greenhouse/Compost/Community Farm

Phase 3 - College Plots/Food Forest/Other

Phase 4 - Outdoor Classroom

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Budget

The overall budget has been broken down based on each demonstration area and each component includes rough estimates for structural materials, labour, machine time, organic materials and irrigation. This estimate does not consider the costs of individual crop costs and maintenance costs, simply implementation costs. Also, donation of materials and labour have not been considered in this estimate. The overall budget is estimated at approximately $71,000.00 with major contributions going towards site infrastructure costs.

Paths & Swales28%

Greenhouse10%

Compost Area4%

Outdoor Classroom26%

College Test Sites7%

Community Garden9%

Food Forest15%

Butterfly Garden1%

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This development is part of a greater movement to maintain strong local economies, especially in the development of sustainable food systems. The hands-on experience gained from this site by both students and community members will contribute to a sustainable, resilient local community. This site will also help to maintain the rich agricultural heritage the Okanagan Valley is known for.

Students will be drawn to this education center for the chance to experience the innovation and sustainability of this cutting edge site.

The Okanagan College Demonstration Garden Project has the opportunity to create a vibrant, shared space between teachers, students, businesses, non-profits, local government and community members. The site will focus on best practices in agriculture and related technology to foster a sustainable future for the abundant Okanagan Valley.

Summary

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