Presented by: Katie Stiel Program Overview July 14, 2015
Why gardening?
Hamilton Community Garden Network hcgn.ca
Mustard Seed Co-Op Faith Lutheran Good
Food Box Program Bethel Heavenly
Food Trucks + Bees Formation of 2 Farms Workshops & Events
FACT: 82,000+ lbs of fresh produce donated to over 15 food agencies in 2014 alone
FACT: 189,672 sq ft of community garden green space in Hamilton (2.2 Canadian Football fields)
Build Community Promote Wellness Environment
Gardens On the Rise!
Hamilton Community Garden Network hcgn.ca
Plot Based
22 13
14
33
Youth
Donation
Tenant-Only
Communal
2
Community Gardens by Ward 2014
Hamilton Community Garden Network hcgn.ca
Mission: To collaboratively support Hamiltonians in building and sustaining community gardening projects from the perspective of improving food security and increasing community involvement.
In Summary…
Hamilton Community Garden Network hcgn.ca
New promo videos New website New branding graphics Updated garden directory New resource bank New events calendar 2014 Annual Report 5 new guides (2 translations) 3 new table games
Since January:
Final otf Report
SUBMITTED
Since 2014…
Hamilton Community Garden Network hcgn.ca
Helped to launch the Hamilton Edible Education Network 40 coordinators received network support 7 school gardens were directly supported 4 knowledge swap events hosted (representing 66 gardens)
6000+Website visits to www.hcgn.ca
400More followers on social media
Community members engaged through events and exhibits
1500+ $48,000Of financial support leveraged for member gardens
250Inquiries answered (doubled from 2013)
HCGN History
Hamilton Community Garden Network hcgn.ca
2007 - Guided by community interest, Hamilton Public Health Services approached North Hamilton Community Health Centre about resurrecting a Hamilton-Wentworth Garden Network. Interested parties came together and the HCGN was formed.
2011 - Green Venture developed the HCGN to include branding, outreach tools, and workshops.
2013 - OTF supported Green Venture and N2N in continuing to grow and define the HCGN and support food growing garden projects.
2014 - N2N continues to grow and support community gardening initiatives in Hamilton through the HCGN program.