First Garden Party

Today the Shambhala Urban Gardeners gathered for the first time. We were hosted by Janet and Hudson Shotwell. We discussed our aspirations and interests as well as our skills and resourses. Many people showed interest in continuing their work in their existing gardens and learning new skills and expanding into more food production. Others would like to start a garden for the first time this season, and still others do not have a garden space of their own but would like to offer their labor in exchange for gardening lessons, food and community engagement.

The richness of this group lies in its diversity, collectively we possess many skills and decades of gardening experience, although some of us have never had a garden before. Our interests vary, and the group can accommodate all types of gardeners, but the emphasis of this group will be producing food for ourselves and our community in Halifax. There are many issues to be discussed around food production and sustainability and I hope that we will have an opportunity to explore them with dirt on our jeans and worms in our hands. In other words, I hope this group will be action oriented!

The community component is also central to this collective. Although I have chosen the name Shambhala Garden Collective, this in no way a group that is exclusive to those involved in the Shambhala Community. The name seemed a good fit for the core group that grew out of the Connecting the Dots Conference. I hope that we bring the view of basic goodness and tough gentleness to each other and the gardens we sink our shovels into. It seems important to maintain the view of helping others in this endeavor. Growing a garden is a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors and friends, share food and recipes, appreciate insects and work our bodies and minds together.

Celebration and cooperation are other areas that I would like to explore. Gathering together to enjoy the abundance of food, creativity of friends and the delight of watching things grow is exciting and inspiring. This could motivate us all to share in the work at our own gardens and others gardens. If we share our knowledge, effort and cheerfulness I have no doubt we will all be successful in this garden season.

Thank you so much for your interest. Feel free to let me know what I have missed and email me photos of your garden for me to post. More to come on logistics, meeting times, maps and garden resources.