MOOSE JAW — With the aim of introducing the art of agriculture to the next generation and to spread awareness for the lesser known Mosaic Community Food Farm, a few farm organizers held a children’s workshop at the Moose Jaw Public Library on the afternoon of Aug. 13.
The farm-based event, Fun with Food and Farming, came about as a collaboration between the public library and the Mosaic Community Food Farm in Moose Jaw.
“It’s really great for kids to get their hands in the dirt and understand where the food that we eat comes from and what it means to farm,” explained Allison Taylor, the food farm co-ordinator for the Mosaic Community Food Farm.
The event, which is the first such outreach project that Taylor recalled in recent years, is part of an effort to do more community outreach for the local food farm.
“So why we wanted to do this event today is to kind of build on that and get more people to know about the farm,” she said.
The event also aimed to be educational, as evidenced by a number of vegetables that attendees had an opportunity to sample, a plant potting station, and a newly planted seed that each guest could take home with them afterwards.
Attendance was above expectations for the food farm’s first public outreach program at the library, and Taylor said there were over 20 people in attendance which “was awesome.”
“There were kids from all different backgrounds, and they all seemed very eager to learn, smell, and taste the different herbs and vegetables that we brought in today.”
The future of the food farm depends on volunteers, and part of the educational message at the library was a tie-back to this reality. Without enough helping hands, Taylor explained, the farm simply won’t be able to operate at the level it’s intended to.
Spanning one acre, the Mosaic Community Food Farm is part of an effort to help feed local families in need.
“All of the food that we grow at the farm gets donated to five different organizations in town,” she said.
“It’s a community farm, the food is for the community, so any support at all by the community makes it what it is.
“We’re kind of hidden away around some houses, but we’re there and we exist,” she added.
No agricultural experience is required to volunteer and Donna MacQuarrie-Bye, the general manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority that oversees the farm, said a few helpers with horticultural knowledge would be greatly appreciated as well.
“(Volunteering with the Food Farm) gives an opportunity to connect with the environment, build new relationships, and give back to the community,” MacQuarrie-Bye added. The experience, she said, is naturally fulfilling for mind, body, and soul.
Volunteer opportunities are open for individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and school groups. Normal volunteer hours run from Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each respective day.
For more information or to volunteer, you can contact the Wakamow Valley Authority office at 306-692-2717 or by email at Wakamow.Events@sasktel.net. You can also visit the garden’s website at Wakamow.ca/Mosaic-Community-
The Mosaic Community Food Farm is located in Wellesley Park just off Bank Street.
