Past project · 2023 – 2024
Harvesting Connections
Growing vegetables, culture and community through the Land Of Dreams project.
Seasons
April – October, 2023 & 2024
Partner
CCIS · Land Of Dreams
Growing
Cameroonian-origin vegetables
Land Of Dreams · CCIS
A community garden for newcomers
Over the past two years, our association has formed a meaningful partnership with Land Of Dreams, a project of the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) centred around cultivating a community garden.
This garden is a vital space for Calgary newcomers to reconnect with their roots, build community bonds and learn about Alberta’s Indigenous heritage, while growing Cameroonian-origin vegetables and embracing Indigenous philosophies of sustainable living.
What the garden brings
Reconnect with roots
Growing the vegetables of home brings our traditions back to the table.
Indigenous heritage
Learning about Alberta’s Indigenous heritage and philosophies of sustainable living.
Teaching children
Hands-on lessons on sustainable practices and respect for the land.
Community support
Practical help and friendships between families and newcomers.
A network of partners
Shared resources with the other organizations in the project.
Environmental stewardship
Caring for the land together, season after season.
What participants say
Participating in the Land Of Dreams project has been a profound experience for our community. It’s heartening to see newcomers embracing our traditions and connecting with the land. This initiative fosters understanding and respect between cultures.
First Chief
As a member of the Vietnamese community, I’ve found immense joy in participating in the Land Of Dreams project. It’s provided me with a sense of belonging and allowed me to share my agricultural knowledge with others.
Member of the Vietnamese community
Being involved in the Land Of Dreams project has been an incredible journey for our Senegalese community. It’s provided us with a platform to share our agricultural heritage and connect with others in a meaningful way.
Member of the Senegalese community
At NCIS, we’re delighted to be a part of the Land Of Dreams project. It’s inspiring to witness newcomers finding solace and connection through gardening and cultural exchange.
NCIS
2024 project · with CCIS
Grow Black African Nightshade
A community-centred initiative to enhance cultural connection and improve food security for Calgary’s Cameroonian community.
The project reintroduced Black Nightshade, a nutritious vegetable traditional to Cameroonian cuisine, through seed distribution, educational workshops and community gardening events.
The 2024 season, month by month
April
Project initiation
Planning meetings, seed procurement and promotion through social media, newsletters and outreach.
May
Community engagement
First workshop and seed distribution on Black Nightshade’s cultural significance and planting techniques.
June
Growth & maintenance
Hands-on planting on shared and individual plots, plus a workshop on soil health and natural pest management.
July
Cultural engagement
A mid-summer celebration with Cameroonian music, storytelling and cuisine.
August
Preparing for harvest
Workshops on safe harvesting techniques and an introduction to local gardening resources.
September
Harvest & conclusion
A successful harvest celebrated with shared food and stories, and very positive participant feedback.
Challenges and solutions
Challenges
- Limited initial awareness: participation was lower at first.
- Seasonal constraints: Calgary’s short season is a challenge for a plant that needs warmth.
- Resource limitations: budget constraints restricted outreach and incentives.
- Coordination complexity: many activities meant more volunteer coordination.
Solutions
- Enhanced outreach: more social media and word-of-mouth in the community.
- Alternative planting: greenhouses or starting seeds indoors to extend the season.
- Resource optimization: efficient management and volunteer efforts kept us on budget.
Key outcomes
Community engagement
Meaningful connections through gardening, cultural events and learning.
Leadership
Volunteers developed organizational and communication skills.
Cultural pride
Cameroonian heritage celebrated with participants of diverse backgrounds.
Lasting connections
Participants linked to gardening clubs and local cultural organizations.
Looking ahead
Recommendations for future seasons
- Expand outreach early with local organizations and community leaders.
- Extend the season with greenhouses or indoor planting.
- Richer learning materials such as videos and handouts on Black Nightshade.
- More frequent events, biweekly or monthly, to keep the momentum.
- Wider promotion to reach more community circles.
From the garden
Thank you, and see you in the garden
Heartfelt thanks to Neighbour Grants for their generous support, and to CCIS for providing land and technical support through Land Of Dreams. The adventure continues with our 2025 gardening season.