Jennica Taylor is one of the apprentices who joined the 2023 cohort of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program (YAAP) on the Prairies. YAAP is a full immersion initiative that pairs aspiring farmers with host farms to gain skills and knowledge on how to manage their own farms someday. Jennica’s host farm is the Common Ground Garden Project in Red Deer, Alberta and she shared with us her experience so far this season.
“I’ve been learning lots about above-ground gardening this summer. Lots of different ways to grow! I am working at the Common Ground Garden Project in Red Deer, Alberta.
We are growing all manner of vegetables on an old brownfield site, hence why all things must be above ground. It is a beautiful way to make use of and reclaim this space that once was home to city utility yards.
Now we grow mountains of squash, greens, and root veggies in containers and large beds made of straw bales with a barrier to ensure no cross-contamination from the original soil to our organic vegetables.
The produce from our garden project goes towards the local Mustard Seed kitchen and Food Bank with any volunteers having their fair share of harvest as well. It is truly a “by community, for community” garden. Last year the garden produced over 1,250 pounds of food for the community!
I have been stretching my leadership skills in helping to manage the garden on a daily basis as well as helping to coordinate some “summer camp” programming for various social agencies in our city. We have 3 different organizations bringing in groups of kiddos and families that are getting to learn about the Permaculture Principles that guide our garden project and broader relationships.
It is so rewarding to see children and even grown-ups getting the chance to engage with the Earth in new ways and to discover the many ways that each of us is connected. I love seeing the growth of children and hearing them begin to teach others what they have learned and seen in the garden recently.
I am looking forward to seeing how many pounds of food we can produce this year and to continue learning and growing as I work with our amazing team and all those who come through our garden. “
Want to Learn More?
- Learn how you can become a YA Apprentice
- If you are an experienced farmer, learn how to become a Mentor.
- Read more about How To Start Farming In Alberta
- New to farming? Check out our How to Start Farming course
Photos provided by Jennica Taylor