The Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley is growing, thanks to The Ontario Trillium Foundation.
$50,000 in Trillium funding over two years will cover the cost of a part time staff person to develop volunteer and funding activities.
The board has been expanded to seven members, and founder Lynne Taylor has stepped down as president to assume the newly created part time position of executive director.
Along with planting, maintaining and harvesting food, the Gardens has a list of projects volunteers can get involved in.
The creation of a food forest, construction of a mud oven, and a new outdoor docu-theatre are among the initiatives being planned.
A toddler's maze is under construction, and several special events are being planned.
The maze is formed with large mounds of organic matter, wood logs, branches, garden clippings and cuttings, straw, soil and finally plants. They act like large sponges drawing up excess water from the soil that could otherwise damage surrounding plants that can't withstand "wet feet." They also supply moisture back to the plants during dry conditions.
It spells out "BBFG.ORG" in mammoth letters that will be legible by people in planes flying overhead.
The new board of directors elected at the AGM represents not only Huron Kinloss, but also the surrounding region. It includes new incoming President Nan Grant (Huron Kinloss), Viice President re-elect Heather Pletsch (Port Elgin), Secretary Treasurer re-elect Jodi MacArthur (Kincardine), Director re-elect Allan Ribbink (Tiverton) Director re-elect Alex Duthie, (Kincardine), incoming Director Wilf Gamble (Huron Kinloss), and incoming Director Rick Orr (Huron Kinloss).
The Penetangore Regional Economic Development Corporation played an important role as project manager for the startup.
"We are very happy to see the BBFG go from success to success," says Ron Coristine, executive director of PREDC. "They are a terrific asset for Huron-Kinloss and the Gardens will only grow as an attraction in future. The BBFG is becoming an important centre of learning, horticulture and food preparation to name a few of its many programs. In short the BBFG contributes to economic development as its programing develops and as more people come to take advantage of what it has to offer. We are pleased that OTF has once again shown their support for this important initiative and we will continue to be available to the BBFG to assist in their growth."
For more information visit the website at bbfg.org and Facebook at Bruce Botanical Food Gardens.