Cullen: I’m dreaming of a green new year
December 22, 2011
Mark Cullen
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better man.
— Benjamin Franklin
What is your Christmas wish? As the year draws to a close, everybody could benefit from some reflection on the year past and some dreaming of how things can be different this coming year.
The world of horticulture is a very big part of our world as it represents the green, living world around us — our sole source of oxygen. I believe it would be beneficial to listen to some of the people who represent organizations focused on giving back to our community from a horticultural point of view.
Here is what five “movers and shakers” had to say:
Dave Harvey
Toronto Park People
• Biggest success in 2011: Holding the city’s first Toronto Park Summit, where we brought together local park leaders, city staff, councillors and park professionals, and helped spark a revitalized interest in the importance of parks for our communities.
• Biggest challenge: Successfully pushing back on the city consultants’ budget cut recommendations that would have devastated our parks.
• Christmas wish: That the city and labour reach a new collective agreement so that we avoid any disruption in services and all keep working together for better parks.
• Crystal ball 2012: We see the city implementing a new strategic plan for our parks that will launch a new era embracing community involvement and partnerships in its parks.
Harvey and his enthusiastic group are effectively spreading the news about the benefits and value of our public green spaces in an organized way. It is my wish that their voice be heard in 2012! More information at www.parkpeople.ca.
Sunday Harrison
Green Thumbs, Growing Kids
• Biggest success 2011: Realizing a much higher public profile thanks to recognition for our work by major media outlets including the Toronto Star and CTV Canada AM coverage.
• Biggest challenge in 2011: Working in conditions of reduced public funding and increased competition among non-profits and charities.
• Christmas wish: A garden in every school! We wish for our organization to be “triple-bottom-line” sustainable — economically, environmentally and socially.
• Crystal ball: A high-end fundraising event called the Brewers’ Plate upcoming in April. 2012 will be the breakthrough year, when not only children and youth in our programs grow and eat more healthy food than ever before, but beyond that, when we see policy changes that support working toward a garden in every school.
I have seen the results of Harrison’s work and that of her organization. It is a lofty and worthwhile endeavor to engage young people in activities that connect them with the soil. It can literally help to feed a hungry world. More at www.kidsgrowing.ca.
Susan Antler
Plant a Row/Grow a Row
• Biggest success in 2011: Soupalicious Toronto was a fabulous success (October, Direct Energy Centre) and more than 1,700 people came to our event to “sip, slurp and savour,” as well as help us support and celebrate the growing and sharing of locally grown veggies.
• Biggest challenge: Keeping up with the demand for information on the how-tos of veggie gardening and food-sharing. This is a great challenge but also a wonderful opportunity as we are so fortunate that people care and want to be of help. Go to www.compost.org for information.
• Christmas wish: To see a dramatic increase in popularity of home-grown vegetables and fruits; saving money (there are studies that say you can save well over $1,000 a year if you have your own veggie and fruit garden). And home-grown food tastes better!
• Crystal ball: Involving ever more folks and organizations in veggie gardening, cooking and sharing. We have started a pretty great collection of amazing soup recipes along with other family recipes contributed by the best-of-the-best chefs and restaurants who believe in our efforts. In my opinion, Plant a Row/Grow a Row is a no-brainer. You enjoy growing food plants and others (less fortunate) benefit from your gift at the food bank. No dues to pay, organization to sign for. For more information, go to www.growarow.org.
Rodrigo, Alvaro and Melanie
Plan B
Plan B is a certified organic, private farm that grows fresh food for direct-to-your-home-delivery in the GTA, servicing 700 clients. They started farming in Ontario in 1996.
• Biggest challenge in 2011: The weather of the growing season, definitely!
• Greatest success: Our late fall harvest. Up until early December we were picking bok choi, kale, collard greens and arugula outdoors.
• Christmas wish: Funds to develop on-farm infrastructure and proper cold storage to extend our year and make our farm profitable. We also wish to maintain and even grow the community of over 700 households who support our farm each year by purchasing “shares” of the harvest from us.
• Crystal ball: Bringing in volunteers from the city to the farm, where they learn about farming. Also crop mobs and work parties, hoedowns and jamborees, with great food to eat and share.
While Plan B is the only for-profit organization on my list, they provide a valuable community service. Do not underestimate the power of free enterprise to change the world for better! Visit www.planborganicfarms.ca for more information.
Toni Ellis
Ontario Urban Forest Council
• Biggest challenge: Lack of paid staff and a lack of core funding. In short, a lack of capacity to do all that needs to be done.
• Biggest success: Our annual conference, which helped share some best practices, scientific research and enabled invaluable networking for two and a half solid days.
• Christmas wish: That urban trees and forests earn the recognition that they need. To engage people, interested groups and all levels of government in the preservation, education, protection and regeneration of trees. That municipal councils recognize the importance of urban trees and parks to our mental, physical and social health.
• Crystal ball: More time (and political interest) in preparing for the Emerald Ash Borer and its impact on the rural and urban environment. The optimist side says growing public pressure for the necessary political will and resources to plant, protect and steward our urban trees.
To plant and protect trees is a worthy ambition if ever there was one. My hat is off to Ellis, the OUFC, and every other organization that devotes itself to this noble purpose. In Toronto there are over a dozen of them. More information at www.oufc.org.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a green, green year ahead!
Question of the Week
Q: I read in your newsletter that Canada Blooms and The National Home show are co-locating for 2012. Where and when will this take place?
A: Canada Blooms, The Flower and Garden Festival, and The National Home Show will take place at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, March 16-25. Visit www.canadablooms.com for more info.
Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author and broadcaster. You can sign up for his free monthly newsletter at www.markcullen.com, and watch him on CTV Canada AM every Wednesday at 8:45 a.m. You can reach Mark through the “contact” button on his website and follow him on Twitter @MarkCullen4 and Facebook. Mark’s latest book, The Canadian Garden Primer, is available at Home Hardware and all major bookstores.