On Canada Day, several of our Alberta growing projects had a presence in their community’s Canada Day parade. And the Newell Growing Project was no exception.

Newell Growing Project participates in Rosemary’s Canada Day Parade

On Canada Day, several of our Alberta growing projects had a presence in their community’s Canada Day parade. And the Newell Growing Project was no exception.

The Newell Growing Project invited spectators to their post-harvest community dinner, set for October 29. They also set up a Foodgrains Bank information booth, right on Main Street.

Throughout the day, people came up to chat, ask questions and make donations. As an outsider, watching members of the growing project tend the booth, it became clear how well this Foodgrains Bank project is known and supported by the community.

Beyond the amazing support of regional agricultural suppliers, it is humbling to see individuals from the community coming up to the booth with their wallet in their hand asking, “Can I sponsor an acre?” Often, individuals were pointed to the local post office, which has a special arrangement to take donations from residents.

I spent one day with the volunteers of the Newell Growing Project – who are still reeling under the impact of the sudden death of one of its members, earlier this year. This year’s crop is grown in his memory, and several other community activities are planned to commemorate his contributions.