Celery represents the first crop planted at a newly created farm to benefit Nanaimo Foodshare. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Down and dirty

‘Everyone wins’: community agriculture project launched in Nanaimo

Jun 2, 2019 | 12:55 AM

NANAIMO — There’s a lot more than celery and kale growing these days at a local farm which is helping to provide affordable produce.

A two acre portion of a farm purchased by a Nanaimo doctor and his wife last year is being transformed to benefit Nanaimo Foodshare and several other community groups.

Dr. John Cline said using his land to help Nanaimo Foodshare and their popular Good Food Box program aligns with a growing international field he strongly believes in called Agrihealth.

“It’s combining the best agricultural practices for growing organic, high quality food with human health and the bridge is nutrition.”

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Dr. John Cline used a portion of his farm to allow Nanaimo Foodshare to grow veggies to top-up its popular Good Food Box program. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Leadership Vancouver Island staged a recent public demonstration at the nearly 50 acre farm just below Cathers Lake, now known as the Cline Agri-Health Centre, to recognize those involved with the project.

An army of volunteers helped plant the first row of celery and put up fencing around the garden plots.

“It’s helping people develop healthy social connections rather than screen time and virtual communities,” Cline said of everyone who helped at the farm.

Nanaimo Foodshare director Craig Evans said the former Westwood Farm property provides an important template on how to farm properly.

“The methods we use here conserve human energy, conserve water. We want to use this as a training ground to show people how easy agriculture can be,” Evans said.

Volunteers and part-time workers at the farm include those with disabilities through VIU’s Workplace Essential Skills and Training Program.

It’s also used by the Central Vancouver Island Multi-Cultural Society, whose clients benefit from the food grown and the experience of farming.

Immigrant employment specialist Daisy Bereska said growing food is relied on by many of their clients.

“They interact with other community members which enhances their English communication, as well as provides valuable life experience,” she said.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes