Before the Plenty Project
Permaculture came alive in urban Ganges this April. As the founder of the Wellness Centre, I’d like to take this opportunity to offer sincere gratitude some of my personal after thoughts where at the Salt Spring Island Wellness Centre, the launch of The Plenty Project captivated Hereford Ave. This open and inclusive community event was the platform to transform and create the landscape of the formerly vacant Sports Traders & Living Strong Programs building.
Our community used recycled and natural building materials, incorporated permaculture design principles, and regenerated one small piece of earth: The result is a beautiful, yet rustic, edible landscape. Fruit and nut trees (fig, apple, pear, lemon), medicinal herbs and annual vegetables now grow for all to enjoy. The landscape is now designed built to add organic biomass back into the landscape naturally.
If you walked or drove by , you likely slowed to take in the scene, the dancing and energy was unconventional for many – especially those not accustomed to Salt Spring. It was over 50 people, of all ages, working together like they would on their own farm or home, but this time bringing love and joy to a commercial landscape. People travelled from off island to come take-part in the event and music enticed those with shovels to dance. Food was served in the park where children were led in organized games. The joy was contagious.
an impromptu team shot of our parmaculture warriors – (photo -syd woodword)
After (photo – Micheal Levy)
a street sign greets traffic on Hereford Ave (Photo- Syd Woodward)
A directional herb garden and raised beds
We demonstrated another way of working and building together. We did it with less than a couple hundred dollars and we fostered resilience in our community; but most of all, we had fun!
What surprised me most was the support of the community, and also the fear, resistance and anger that it trigged in a very small part of the community.
There is always resistance in movement and some attempted to deflate our efforts. Angry because traffic slowed, music thumped and we danced in the street – and maybe more – but visits from the police and insults won’t divide strong community. And while some people don’t like don’t like what permaculture looks like on the front lawn. I personally don’t like the lawnmower cut lines on over-watered suburbia lawns – drying up precious water resources on this planet up with no utility. I believe in open honest dialogue between community members – a coming together – rather than calls to the “right and wrong” police.
I guess I should have expected that doing things unconventionally would bring up fear and resistance. We are demonstrating an alternative way of living, not because its right, but because people have forgotten that there is another way. We have lost connection with our past.
I will always be the first to admit that lessons can be taken from this, as in any new bold venture. I will not apologize for this event though. I’m fired up and in love with this place and what we are creating here. Fear cannot exist in love so I’m resolute.
This project was built for and supported by the community. It’s beautiful, its unique, and its so Salt Spring. Thank-you for building it!
Greg Clayton