March 21-22, 2026: Cawston, BC – Work Party at Ntamtqen Community Garden and Food Hub

Young Agrarians is excited for a fourth annual spring work party at Ntamtqen Community Garden and Food Hub!

Come out to lend a hand with spring farm work and building infrastructure to grow Indigenous food sovereignty. Everyone is welcome to attend. There are a variety of tasks to do such as planting fruit trees in the new orchard (we planted one very successfully last year with YA volunteers!), pruning, irrigation, greenhouse work, transplanting seedlings, helping in the kitchen, and more. Activities are weather dependent and we can update these closer to the time. There are also exciting new expansions to check out including a root cellar, outdoor kitchen, workshop, and processing building.

We can’t wait to gather with you and celebrate spring together!

WHEN: March 21-22, 2026. Join for the whole weekend or as much as you’re able to. If you’d like to drop in to help leading up to the event, contact Dixon and Hannah at skulaxan@gmail.com and hannah.field@lsib.net, or call 250 681 2626 / 250 408 4300.

REGISTER: So that we can plan for meals, please register on Eventbrite.

LOCATION: Syilx Territory. Cawston, BC (15 mins south of Keremeos) | Ntamtqen Community Garden and Food Hub

DIRECTIONS: Unmarked driveway across the road from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band Health, Administration and Community Gym. If coming from Cawston/Keremeos, turn right into the driveway just before the Band Office and school, then take your first left and follow the driveway to Dixon’s house. You will be able to see the tall tipi poles from the highway.

CARPOOL INFO: Carpooling is encouraged. If you are looking for or can offer a ride to or from the event, please email Maria at maria@youngagrarians.org. We currently know of cars coming from Vancouver and the Nelson/West Kootenays area.

BRING: Weather and farm-appropriate clothing and footwear (it could be very muddy), work/gardening gloves, high-vis vests/clothing if you have it, and a lawn chair. The weather can be very windy and cold, muddy or sunny and warm! So check the weather closer to the time. 

Optional: If you have them, please bring hand and power tools (eg. shovels, rakes, impact drivers, impact wrenches, saws, etc.), and personal safety equipment (earmuffs, safety glasses, hard hat). Please label equipment beforehand.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Some accommodation will be available. To inquire about staying or camping onsite, please email maria@youngagrarians.org. There are several options for accommodations: bedrooms in the house, floor space, trailer and converted schoolbus space and camping space. You are welcome to stay Friday/Saturday/Sunday night as needed but please confirm with Hannah and Dixon beforehand. To inquire about staying or camping onsite, please email both Dixon and Hannah at skulaxan@gmail.com and hannah.field@lsib.net.

MEALS: Meals and snacks will be provided and prepared onsite by volunteers – if you can lend a hand in the kitchen that would be great to share the load! (Lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Sunday).

SPONSORSHIP: We are seeking food donations to feed the volunteers. Meat, vegetables, raw ingredients, dairy, coffee, snacks, baked goods, etc. Please contact Maria at maria@youngagrarians.org to coordinate. Thank you!

SHARE: Planning on joining us? Invite your friends and share the Facebook Event (coming soon).

ACCESSIBILITY: If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at maria@youngagrarians.org

ABOUT Ntamtqen Community Garden and Food Hub

1. Produce healthy food for the community and grow native plants, building food security and sovereignty
2. Create business and employment opportunities for our community
3. Create spaces for education, wellness, collaboration and gathering.

The Ntamtqen Community Garden and Food Hub provides a range of social, economic and health benefits with and for community members centered on Indigenous food security and sovereignty. The food hub farm and garden enables opportunities for passing on traditional knowledge of food gathering and processing through the generations; creates business and employment opportunities for the community; teaches and hosts skill shares and delivers farming/growing education; and hosts gatherings and social events that weaving in arts and culture.

Website: ntamtqencommunity.garden
Instagram: @Ntamtqencommunitygarden
Facebook: @Ntamtqencommunitygarden

Volunteers are most welcome at the garden. Regular work parties are hosted throughout the growing season. Email Hannah at hannah.field@lsib.net to express interest and learn about upcoming dates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This event is free and open to everyone! Supervised children are welcome
• Please leave furry friends at home
• Please stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms
• Please wash your shoes before visiting the farm, especially if you work on or have visited a farm recently
• Please do not bring alcohol/recreational substances to this event
• Please share this event with anyone who may be interested!

STAY IN TOUCH

• Join our Young Agrarians Okanagan-Thompson Facebook Group to stay up to date with all events in the region.
• Sign up for our e-newsletter to get events and opportunities for your region delivered straight to your inbox.
• We welcome cancellations at any time – you can do so through Eventbrite, through the link in your registration confirmation email, or by contacting maria@youngagrarians.org
• Questions? Email Maria Vigneron at maria@youngagrarians.org