Some 120 persons from all directions participated in the activities planned by the members of the Sawyerville Community Garden's organizing committee. Chantal Bolduc, one of the main organizers, described this third edition as an occasion to bring together amateur horticulturalists to "sprout some beautiful gardening projects." The themes of seeds, preparation of cultivation platforms, pruning trees, and wise use of plants, among others, were discussed to the great satisfaction of the visitors.
The day began with a word by the Mayor of Cookshire-Eaton Noël Landry, and a welcome by Bolduc. Then Marie-France Chartrand of the MRC of the Haut-Saint-François summarized the progress of the Development Plan for the Agricultural Zone (Plan de développement de la zone agricole, PDZA). Through this initiative, she said, the various stakeholders hope to create quality jobs and consolidate them into a green zone that will become permanent. In this vein, she noted that we need more businesses in manufacturing and services, and at the same time we need to invest in training qualified workers. Danielle Tremblay, illustrator, presented some of her work that was published in a series of children's books, entitled Ben entreprend: le jardinage, Une bataille de balle de neige, and others.
Patrick Garcia of Horticulture Indigo extolled the virtues of edible and medicinal indigenous flowers. With an audience of some 40 enthusiasts, he recalled that for many millennia, plants have enabled humanity to live by nourishing humans, healing them, sheltering them, and so on. In symbiosis with their environment, they need little watering and no pesticides, and they contribute to biodiversity. Beyond noting the importance of preserving plants that are threatened during crop harvesting, Garcia suggested sowing or transplanting them into our garden spaces in order to help conserve them. His business sells either seeds or plants to garden lovers.
Accredited herbal therapist Chantal Parent detailed the advantages of using plants for health care. Among other points, she gave numerous reasons that camomile, calendula, and several other varieties of plants should always be part of every household in Quebec. Sown in gardens as companion plants, they help vegetables grow. During this time, Marc Nault was in the Community Garden, explaining how to prune fruit trees in order to improve their production. "A dozen participants were delighted with the training they received," rejoiced Bolduc.
Jackie Hyman of the Eaton Corner Museum presented seeds and tools used by early pioneers in the Haut-Saint-François. Representatives of the Centre de formation professionnelle de Coaticook (CRIFA) offered information concerning the horticultural component of the Centre's training program. Garcia represented Horticulture Indigo, a depositary of edible and medicinal indigenous plants. Leading seed savers Richard O'Breham of Mycoflor and Brian Creelman of the CoSMOS Seed Collective both proposed fruit and vegetable seeds to put in the garden this spring. Jean Huppé offered his Pur Délice honey. Then there were the representatives of the Collective Kitchens of the Haut-Saint-François and of PDZA who promoted their valuable services to the public. At the kiosk of the Sawyerville Community Garden, Jennifer McMullin offered information about nut trees from the CoSMOS Seed Collective. She also accepted registrations for space in the Garden and the public market. Other information available at her booth were tools from the La Libertad Atelier, upcoming presentations and construction of a bread oven. The meal prepared by Jeannette Thériault and a group of volunteers was well appreciated. Rainer Lowry drove a beautiful team of horses, to the great pleasure of those who were able to have a ride in his wagon.
Mike Coleman discussed the possible links between school and gardening. The students of the Sawyerville Elementary School decorated the hotel hall with a multitude of flowers. "This springtime touch is magic," said the organizer. "What's really great is to see the growing interest in the production and conservation of healthy seeds, of organic vegetables, and local shopping."
