The Blue River Community Garden was funded by the North Thompson Communities Foundation (NTCF) and a number of other funding initiatives when current Area “B” (Thompson Headwaters) TNRD Director Lee Onslow applied for and received initial funding to help kick start the garden from the NTCF.
“We are so thankful to the NTCF for helping us kickstart this garden project in 2018 following it's inital start a few years earlier by volunteers. The kids in the elementary school in Blue River actually grow some of the seedlings at the school each year to start the garden and later on come out to help weed and care for the plants. They love it,” Onslow told Black Press in a recent interview on March 8.
"The residents of Blue River are really proud of the garden and how it's become such a valued resource in our community in recent years. We wouldn't have been able to do this without help from the NTCF and our many volunteers including the local Blue River Volunteer Fire Department and Community Association."
The TNRD director says the garden has even inspired a microgreen program sponsored by Yellowhead Community Services (YCS) at the local library which residents are invited to harvest now in March before the community garden is ready. "It's really wonderful to have fresh greens, produce and participate like this together. We couldn't do this without the help of these sponsored grants from YCS and the NTCF as well as our local volunteers and other supportive organizatons. We hope this encourages other rural - remote communities like ours," said Onslow.
The community garden has grown in size each year and welcomes volunteers throughout the growing season. Onslow shares that the community garden and gazebo have become a "really welcoming place" to have weekly get-togethers like her friends group wing nights and she often sees individuals and families enjoying the bug free zone of the gazebo to visit and relax or read during the summertime.
"I've learned a lot more about how much the North Thompson Communities Foundation does from McLure to Blue River in the past couple of years. It's so impressive when you think about them contributing to so many non profits and worthwhile events, scholarships, and bursaries in the whole valley corridor! I know of individuals who have chosen to donate to the NTCF on an annual or monthly basis because they recognize the value of the foundation," she said.
The North Thompson Communities Foundation awards grants through local charitable organizations generated from responsibly managed donations and legacies which promote community capacity building and unity throughout the North Thompson Valley.
If you are interested in learning more about the North Thompson Communities Foundation you can visit their website at: https://www.ntcommunitiesfoundation.com/
