Great turnout for “Seedy Saturday” at Albion Bolton Community Centre

March 7, 2024 · 0 Comments

Annual gardening event successfully brings together community

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon’s gardening community came together in the spirit of collaboration last weekend.

On March 2, the Caledon Public Library (CPL), Albion Hills Community Farm (AHCF), and Palgrave United Community Kitchen (PUCK) hosted “Seedy Saturday” at the Albion Bolton Community Centre.

The event featured a seed exchange, garden-themed book sale, a café, gardening presentations, community group stations, a potting station, and numerous environmentally-conscious vendors.

Karen Hutchinson, who leads the AHCF, said she was impressed with the steady flow of people coming in and out of Seedy Saturday. Halfway through the event, she estimated at least 100 people had already attended.

Hutchinson said the AHCF is always trying to support people in their learning journeys in gardening.

“This year, we’ll have a bigger focus on teaching,” she said. “We’re supporting learning at all levels, from kids and youth in the school system, to community groups, to our allotment gardeners.”

Hutchinson said Seedy Saturday is a feel-good event that gets one’s mind in gear and thinking about the gardening season.

“It’s celebrating seeds, celebrating gardening,” she said. “Lots of community people came out today… it’s great to see everybody and get some enthusiasm about the upcoming season.”

Lucrezia Chiappetta, co-chair of ecoCaledon, said Seedy Saturday was a great opportunity to chat with people about environmental issues that impact the Caledon community.

She said ecoCaledon talked a lot about food-related climate solutions as it’s a theme that’s very much linked to what Seedy Saturday represents. Chiappetta said some of these solutions include reducing food waste, moving toward a plant-rich diet, and supporting or implementing regenerative agricultural practices.

Maureen Ramsay, a volunteer with PUCK, said Seedy Saturday was a great chance to show off some of the cooking and fitness activities the group runs.

She said the event aligns with PUCK’s local food and sustainability mission, and that the Albion Bolton Community Centre was a great place to host Seedy Saturday as there was lots of room.