I`m very fortunate to have a backyard for the first time in my adult life, and I have huge ambitions for the bounty of food it can offer. However, I am busy with paid and volunteer work, and it`s a lot of work to keep on top of by myself! So last winter I thought of a way to share my space and knowledge in exchange for some extra hands to help manifest a hearty garden, and work on other green projects.
I posted a blog here about it, and started to receive e-mails from people from people outside of Canada, who wanted to learn more about how to grow food. Last season I had four volunteers throughout the growing seasons, who made a huge impact on what I was able to accomplish.
Some things that volunteers help with are: Plant care, vermicomposting, composting, sprouting and microgreens, building projects, canning, homebrewing and seasonal tasks.
I`ll be also hosting a series of workshops throughout the season, starting with Backyard Gardening and DIY Projects: a workshop on accessible, creative, organic backyard gardening. Lots of info on D.I.Y. upcycling projects and grassroots ways to empower oneself.
Date : Sunday, April 7
Place: La Ruche d’art, 4525 St-Jacques in St-Henri
Time: 11am to 2pm (healthy snacks served at noon. Please bring a bowl, fork, spoon and a water bottle/cup.)
FREE
Part of www.reseaujardin.org's Everything You Wanted to know about Gardening day
THE SET-UP:
- People contact me online, and we discuss the concept, tasks and time frames
- Volunteers work 10 hours of various green projects each week.
- In exchange, the host provides a furnished room, and food from fridge and garden.
- The hosts and volunteers share information, and urban farming projects are examined.
2013 Schedule:
MAY
May 5 - May 17: Arthur
May 21st - May 28th: Anthony
JUNE
June 1 - June 12th: Jason
June 14th - June 21st: OPEN
JULY
July 2nd - July 8th: Natesa
July 10th - July 17th: OPEN
July 19 - July 25: Caroline
AUGUST
August 8th - August 15th: Nicholas
August 23rd - August 30th: OPEN
contact me at sheena.swirlz@gmail.com and stay posted for Urban Homestead Exchange updates throughout May - October!