By: Xinya

With summer quickly approaching and cold weather on its way out – 2.5 acres of lush farmland can be found on Westminster Highway near the West Dyke. At the Terra Nova Rural Park (Terra Nova Sharing Farm), you can exercise your green thumb!

In this day and age, we are used to picking up our produce from the local grocery store. However, we have no idea where it's been shipped from, or what chemicals have been used during cultivation. Besides not being environmentally friendly (plane from Mexico, cargo ship from Spain?), it is also not as healthy as organic produce. As well, you know exactly what's being used when growing the food. The Terra Nova Sharing Farm is built on the ideology of a sustainable source of food. Do you live in an apartment, a townhouse? Do you not have space for a garden, but want to try your hand at gardening? No need to worry, the Sharing Farm offers small plots of land for rent, so you can still try harvesting your own food. Terra Nova promotes "sustainability through workshops on issues related to food rescue, food security, organic practices, farm gardens and youth". The farm offers programs for elementary schools, as well as offering support for high schools that wish to start their own school-year gardens. By educating ourselves, and spreading awareness about food sustainability issues - we can all contribute towards reducing our impact on the environment, not to mention the potential health benefits!

The Terra Nova Rural Park is also home to the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project - a non-profit organization in which produce is grown on the premises and harvested to be donated to the Richmond Food Bank and other charitable organizations. Since its start in 2001, the farm has harvested over 130,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables for local individuals living in poverty. The Project currently consists of several greenhouses, farmed lands, fruit tree orchards, and hazelnut groves.

Interested? The Sharing Farm offers multiple opportunities: the Greenhouse Social Club, summer employment for post-secondary students, and additional volunteer opportunities. For more information, and additional contact information: visit the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project website: http://www.richmondfruittree.com/

Not convinced yet? Gardening burns 272 calories an hour – how about that for an added benefit!

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