September 12: Show + Tell, GreenShed Design Session and Site Preparation

The first day of the GreenShed project began with a pancake breakfast at the school. Community members and many Planning Network participants came together to share ideas about community gardens. Judy and Connie from Flying Dust shared experiences from their organic community garden. They brought produce from the garden for design session participants to see, share and taste. Participants enjoyed fresh carrots, peas, beans and cucumbers.

Connie spoke about her newfound passion for gardening and "playing in the dirt" - she never realized a potato plant could look so pretty. Flying Dust sees their garden as a way for the community to be more self-sufficient. The project started out small two years ago, and through its success has expanded to an eight acre garden. Produce is distributed to community members. More recently, the garden has been selling produce to the local Co-op in Meadow Lake.

Connie & Judy from Flying Dust share stories and produce from their garden with Standing Buffalo members and visitors from Pasqua's Planning Work Group.

We also discussed and explored design ideas for the GreenShed structure. Some elements were determined at the last community design workshop – location, using straw bale for wall panels and including a greenhouse, storage shed and market space in the structure. Community members were encouraged to sign up to come out and help build the GreenShed; the project will be possible only if many people get involved.

Participants discuss ideas for the community garden site plan and GreenShed structure.

Proposed structure for the GreenShed consisting of straw bale wall panels on the north wall, and a simple roof/wall frame along the south side of the building.

A lot more site preparation was needed than the team had anticipated. Workers cleared away brush and debris from the site, and also trimmed shrubs and trees to make room for the GreenShed. An existing chain-link fence was also removed.  The storage shack had to be moved and cleaned out – one side was full of old materials and pigeon poop! The crew moving the building would have to come back the next day to move the shack to its new home across the road. Some of the utilities had to be located and disconnected. Tomorrow the shack will be moved and excavation will begin for the footings for the building.

PWG members look on as the fence is removed.

Volunteers clear brush and debris from the site.

A fragile bird's nest is safely removed from a shrub before pruning.

Brad and Crispin suit up to tackle the pigeon poop in the storage shack so the building could be moved off site. This messy job could not have been done without the fearless help of Curtis, Clinton, Maureen and Cheryl.