This is the fourth of a four-part series of farmer interviews conducted by students in a Community Service Learning course at the University of Alberta. Nathaniel Nakonechny interviewed Doug Visser of Lady Flower Gardens, and wrote this inspiring blog post. We’re delighted to share these farmer stories with you!
Dig and you’ll Find Doug; A History of the Gardens.
If you’re interested in unearthing the agricultural architect behind the origins of Lady Flower Gardens, you need only dig just below the surface, to find Doug! Doug Visser, the now-retired head farmer at Lady Flower Gardens, says that in a sense, he sort of stumbled into his lifelong career in farming. Doug’s one-year stint at his local agricultural college ended, following a sudden burst in ambition brought on by one of his friends, who was growing vegetables and selling them at the local farmer’s market. This “Well I could do that” moment, coupled with the ability to lease land from his parents, and a very committing $15,000 investment into an irrigation system, prompted Doug’s foray into the vegetable-growing business.
Lady Flower Gardens; Cultivating Connection.
For the past 12 years, Lady Flower Gardens (LFG) has operated as a part 9 not-for-profit corporation, located in North East Edmonton on 15 acres of agricultural land, with shared access to a 75-acre old-growth forest along the North Saskatchewan River. Doug speaks on the “Federation” of disadvantaged people that LFG works with. Through groups such as The Mustard Seed, Recovery Acres, and Alberta Health Services, LFG is able to reach out to individuals suffering from addiction, physical well-being, or mental health issues, who are all given the opportunity to come to LFG and experience a sense of community.
This federation of groups can come to the gardens in a designated time slot and based on their individual needs, are given support to help situate themselves in a role, at the gardens, on that particular day. The individuals are asked, if they are able, to aid in the maintenance of the garden, in the form of weeding and or harvesting. In return, they can take home a bundle of vegetables, of which any surplus from that day is donated to the food bank. In addition, they are able to cut a selection of flowers to take home for themselves, or to give to others if they so please.
These activities give the individual a sense of purpose, and a chance to give back and to nurture the garden, effectively being part of a greater collective, and community!
What do They Grow?
What grows at LFG can essentially be broken down into two categories; vegetables and flowers! The vegetables include, but are not limited to; peas, beans, corn, potatoes, peppers, beets, carrots, squash and cucumbers, to name a few. The garden also boasts an impressive collection of cuttable flowers, such as tall marigolds, cosmos, dahlias, sunflowers, and eucalyptus.
Promoting Healthy Soil and Ecosystems.
At Lady Flower Gardens, healthy soil is promoted through the following mediums:
- Green Manure:
- A cover crop which usually consists of nitrogen-fixing plants like clover, alfalfa, and a variety of grasses grown for one or two seasons, with the intention of being mowed, and tilled into the soil to add nutrients and organic matter, while preventing soil erosion and keeping weeds in check.
- Rotating crops on the same parcel of land to promote nutrient-diverse soilUse of compost in the garden (2-3 inches every year).
Farming: What You Should Know Beforehand and What to Get Excited About.
When asked what Doug thought people should know about farming before they get started, he cited location as being an important aspect and went on to say that a nutrient-rich locale, coupled with good irrigation and a healthy pursuit of knowledge from friends, and other local farmers, makes for a prospering garden. Doug continued to comment on how surprised he was by the productivity of soils if the time is taken to learn about and understand them. He also mentioned that during the 80s and 90s, he was pleasantly surprised to see a shift towards buying local, and the overall support farmers received, considering how difficult it can be to compete with grocery store prices.
On the topic of the farming industry, and what to be excited about, Doug began by saying that he in fact was not excited about its future, mainly because of the large input centre required, due to climate change, and diminishing profit margins. However, on the topic of things like urban gardens, organizations similar to LFG, and a growing call to reconnect with our agricultural roots, Doug is optimistic. He’s excited about people getting the opportunity to experience the land, each other, and community. Doug’s excitement for the future lies in communal agricultural spaces where people can come together, and work as a unit to produce vegetables in a sustainable way and promote mental health via community, all within an urban setting. And frankly, you should be excited too.
To learn more about Lady Flower Gardens, and to get involved or donate, visit their website at:
https://www.ladyflowergardens.com/
Check out the other stories in this series