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Colorful Fresh Produce

About Greater Shediac Community Garden Inc.

Welcome to Greater Shediac Community Garden Inc.! We are dedicated to fostering community engagement through gardening. We aim to provide fresh, affordable produce, build a sense of community, get people active, improve physical and mental health, and educate about gardening, nature & cooking. Join us to be a part of this wonderful journey!

Our Mission

Our mission is to offer an accessible and inclusive garden to ensure food security and the growth of a healthy community through education and diversity.

Our Vision

  • To give the community access to garden space through an annual membership program.

  • To provide space that promotes and encourages community spirit; skill and knowledge sharing, cross-cultural learning, and an increased capacity for civic pride.

  • To organize events that bring people together through workshops and activities guided by increased mental health and physical wellbeing, our rich cultural diversity, and our local environment.

  • To foster partnerships with like-minded organizations, local business, farms, suppliers, producers, service providers, and surrounding municipalities in order to exchange information, work together, and increase the capacity of our unified goals.

Ecological Commitment

  • To establish a diverse soil community - This means substituting synthetic fertilizers with organic compost. Good compost has a full complement of soil organisms and a balance of nutrients to maintain them.

  • To establish a diverse plant community. This means planting a variety of plants that provide nutrients to organisms at different soil depths. This will help a healthy ecosystem to develop.

Our Board

  • Odette LeBlanc-Babineau - President

  • Cathleen Sorckoff - Vice-President

  • Sherry Bland - Treasurer

  • Isabelle Iriarte - Secretary

  • Susan Maskill

  • Susan Jardine

  • Aniseth Bakunda

  • Peter Breau

  • Bonnie Wallace

  • Louis Leger

  • Nancy Fraser

  • Teresa Tugo

  • Jennilou Aquila

  • Debby Clements

  • Alina Kobos

  • Frank Bijnens                                                                                                                                  

a black and white picture of an farmer in the 1800's working a field with manual equipment

Our History

  • 2011 - a small group of Shediac Knights of Columbus and a few volunteers, planted a garden (90 feet by 10 feet) on the St.-Joseph parish grounds on Breaux Bridge Street to provide the Vestiaire St.-Joseph food bank with fresh vegetables.

  • Our three founding members are: Diane Caron (Horticulturalist), Antonia Glavas (Horticulturalist) and Gilles Le Blanc (Coordinator).

  • 2012 - Now, in an area of 90 feet by 90 feet, a second garden was added. The true mission of the Shediac Community Garden was finally a reality in the summer of 2012 with 26 cultivated beds for 26 green thumb gardeners. With the collaboration of the Town of Shediac, the Shediac Firemen, the St.-Joseph parish, the Shediac Knights of Columbus, many local business-sponsors, an executive committee, and a few volunteers, the Shediac Community Garden (as it was called in 2012) saw the light of day. This new space was now available to the citizens of Shediac who didn’t have access to fertile land for gardening in their backyards.

  • 2013 - in January, 2013, this project became known as the Greater Shediac Community Garden.An open session with the public was held on April 22, 2013 in order to recruit new clients and to promote the community garden’s true mission. This year we installed 10 feet by 6 feet wooden frames around all 41 plots, making for a cleaner garden and preventing weed formation at the same time. 

  • 2019 - The year 2019 marked a period of growth, infrastructure development, and strengthened partnerships for the Greater Shediac Community Garden. Through strong community support, dedicated volunteers, and strategic planning, the garden continued to expand its impact in Shediac and surrounding communities. Everything grows from a seed — and 2019 was a year where many important seeds were planted for the future growth of the Greater Shediac Community Garden.

  • 2022 - By 2022 the gardens are used by over 300 people from the Greater Shediac Area. From Kindergarten kids to seniors, from families to shelters, from immigrants to homeless people; the Greater Shediac Community Garden is providing a safe community environment focused on food security and physical and mental well-being for all. 

  • 2023 - In March of 2023, the Greater Shediac Community Garden signs a renewable 10 year lease with L'Ecole Louis J.-Robichaud and moves their activities to the new location behind the school. Hundreds of volunteers helped us prepare the land, build our garden boxes, and make our dream become reality.

  • 2024 - In 2024 we reached many of our objectives to make the Greater Shediac Community Garden into a true haven for our community:

    • Built access boardwalk entrance to garden.

    • Installed framework 52 of a 40ft by 16ft teaching greenhouse center –10K donated by Town of Shediac.

    • Built remaining 30+ raised beds for mobility access.

    • We built a teaching garden for children aged 2-12 yrs old partnering with OLIA daycare program. 

    • Planted the citrus fruit tree garden & built herb gardens.

    • Rebuilt the deck and canopy for shelter and completed trading post.

    • Worked in collaboration with many groups-individuals for outreach & food security.

    • Hosted 45 workshops and classes offered free to community thanks to a CapAcadie grant of 7K. 

    • Worked with LJR staff & students re: gardening and other classes & provided fresh vegetables to the cafeteria program.

  • 2025 - The Greater Shediac Community Garden was proud to open their greenhouse to be used as a learning center and a source 
    of healthy vegetables and fruits long term. Our garden plots are in high demand and a waiting list is growing. We continue to provide the community with workshops, events, and plenty of organic produce.                                                                                                  

Colorful Fresh Produce

Our Long Term Plans

  • Working with seniors from our vast area to bring raised beds to their facilities- From ground to table program.

  • Offer workshops to all interested by teaching them how to grow, how to prepare and how to preserve their organic vegetables.

  • Collaboration with the staff and students of high schools to teach students all aspects of gardening using the greenhouse.

  • To work with daycare programs/schools to teach preschool and primary school students the basics of gardening and good nutrition.

  • We asked the Towns of Shediac and of CapAcadie to evaluate their open spaces, to accommodate more green spaces so that all can plant food. 

Get Involved in Our Volunteer Program

Become a part of our volunteer program and contribute to the growth and maintenance of our community garden. Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, there's a place for you in our vibrant community. Join us in nurturing the garden and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.

At Greater Shediac Community Garden, we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all members of the community. Our programs and initiatives aim to promote sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and the joy of growing and sharing fresh produce. Join us in our mission to create a thriving and connected community through gardening.

Vegetable Garden Beds
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