Sustainable agriculture group secures educational land plot

By COLLIN GALLANT on August 20, 2020.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

A group of Hatters hoping to cultivate an interest in sustainable agriculture have secured a plot of land to grow food and stage educational projects.

About 15 members of Transition Medicine Hat attended a ceremony on Wednesday morning on land north of Medicine Hat, where it hopes to initially use several acres as a showcase for “regenerative agriculture.”

“It will be education in a couple of different areas, basically following permaculture, which are practices that reinforce each other,” said Rob Gardner, who is heading up Transform.

That loosely organized group hopes to join others with an interest in sustainable food production.

“A lot of people have an interest in sustainability, but can’t do much with just their back yard,” said Gardner.

Permaculture promotes lowering water use and other inputs, matching plant types to climate, crop rotation, local food production, and promoting overall health of the ecosystem.

Initially, the group will begin a farm-scale compost pile (starting Friday) and contemplate a ground cover crop this fall ahead of further work next spring.

Eventually plots would be apportioned for drip agriculture, fruit trees and other small-scale growing, and research projects will be given consideration.

Discussions are underway with the Miywasin Centre of Medicine Hat to grow a small amount of tobacco and sweetgrass required for ceremonial use.

“It won’t be a community garden, but we’re hoping to host edgier projects,” said Gardner, whose group is looking for volunteers and others to join, though their structure doesn’t have a set membership.

A website that is now operating will promote and support direct from farm sales, U-pick berry operations, food security and sustainable practices of producers, consumers and local small businesses in general.

The land itself, located about 10 kilometres north of Medicine Hat city limits on the Box Springs Road, was offered for use by the landowner, Dale Lintott. It has a well, and at one point was cultivated for crops, but has since been covered in crested wheat grass.

That stabilized the soil, but provides poor grazing return and hasn’t improved the soil much, added Gardner.

Over time the plan is to use crop rotation to make it more productive.

After a blessing by Métis elder Wally Garroich on Wednesday, attendees mingled, discussed ideas and planted wildflower seeds.

“Every bit helps,” said Garroich. “When the land, plants and animals thrive, we thrive, so we have to look after it.”

The group’s website can be found at TransitionMedicineHat.ca.

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