Breadcrumb Trail Links
OpinionColumn
Published May 07, 2026 • 2 minute read
COLUMN HEADER: Strathcona County Ward 5 Coun. Aaron Nelson. Photo supplied Photo by supplied /jpg, SP, apsmcArticle content
Have you heard about the collective garden project, the first of its kind in our County? In Ardrossan, at the southeast corner of Range Road 222 and Wye Road, lies the Ardrossan Recreation and Agricultural Society (ARAS) Community Growing Patch.
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Where a regular community garden involves plots rented to individuals, the collective growing approach sees ARAS coordinate efforts to maintain food and flowers as demonstration crops, as well as for harvest for fundraising and volunteers. Three years ago, this project began growing and continues to be a space for everyone of all ages to come out.
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For some, participating in the Patch means Saturday mornings spent listening and learning as the community comes together to share knowledge. Thanks to a partnership with Strathcona County Library, ARAS hosts educational workshops all about different gardening practices. The outdoor space, donated by a local resident, provides opportunities to learn and adjust by doing.
The Patch is a hopeful beginning to what many want to see evolve into a winter greenhouse located within Ardrossan. This idea is shared by many with the ambition of being able to locally source varieties of produce, longer than just our short growing season.
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Many volunteers dedicate their time to the planting, maintaining and harvesting cycle which is crucial to the education for understanding where fresh crops come from. The Growing Patch is a space to learn and enjoy the rurality of Strathcona County – a place to take a moment to simply reconnect with others and the soil.
Thanks to many hands, produce grown at the Patch makes it into the community for sale at the outdoor Ardrossan Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays June through September at Memorial Hall. By raising money and giving back to the community, the project is able to build funds for the vision of a winter greenhouse while continuing to offer more opportunities to work and learn.
Whether you’re looking to do physical work or to simply share wisdom, you belong here. All volunteers are appreciated and get to be part of something special. Junior volunteers (under 18) get an entry into ARAS’ gift card giveaway every time they help, and hours in the Patch can be used towards the requirement for ARAS’ annual $1000 scholarship.
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On Saturday May 16th, 2026, you are welcome to come out to the Patch for the first library program of the season, one especially fun for the young ones: the Three Sisters Planting Experience. Come meet the community and learn about ARAS’ plans for the upcoming season, which include a regular Saturday presence at the Patch.
You can find more information about Saturday mornings at the Patch on the ARAS Facebook page or website (ardrossanrecagsociety.ca), and the Strathcona County Library seasonal program guides under Growing Partnerships.
Aaron Nelson is the Ward 5 Councillor for Strathcona County, and can be reached at 780-464-8147 or aaron.nelson@strathcona.ca.
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