News
Applications open for Community Garden Support Program in Newfoundland

Funding applications for the 2022 Community Garden Support Program are now available to help eligible municipalities and community groups in Newfoundland & Labrador to establish and enhance new and existing community gardens.

As part of the $2.25 million Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program, the provincial government of Newfoundland & Labrador is continuing to invest $100,000 annually into non-repayable grants under the Community Garden Support Program.

There is no deadline to apply, but applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In 2021, the program supported 146 community gardens, including funding to enhance 102 existing community gardens and establish 44 new gardens. This compares to 124 total projects in 2020 and 101 projects in 2019. In 2021, the maximum available grant increased from $500 to $750. Video highlights from last season’s program are available here and the 2021 final report can be read here.

The Community Garden Support Program was established to increase:

• Food self-sufficiency;
• Access to fresh foods;
• Consumption of fruits and vegetables; and
• Awareness and appreciation of the importance of local food production and the agriculture sector.

Approximately 7,400 people participated in, and benefited from, this program in 2021, including youth, seniors, and Indigenous groups. This has grown from nearly 6,000 people in 2020 and 3,500 participants in 2019.

Successful applicants used funding to purchase building materials for raised beds, greenhouses, and fencing; soil and amendments; various tools; watering systems; garden signage; seeds and transplants; as well as shrubs and fruit-bearing trees.

“You don’t need to look any further than a community garden to see that the cooperative community spirit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are known for is alive and well. The Community Garden Support Program just keeps on growing, and every year more and more people from school kids to senior citizens are coming together to share the work and rewards of contributing to food self-sufficiency here at home. I encourage all municipalities, schools, service groups and not-for-profit organizations to get in on this fun and rewarding program,” says Derrick Bragg, provincial Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.

The 2022 application and program guide are available on the Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website. For more information on the program please call: 709-637-2474 or email CGSP@gov.nl.ca.