As every kid who didn’t grow up on a farm knows, “baby” carrots come from sealed plastic bags with pictures of bunnies on them; they are uniform in size, no larger than a grown-up’s pinkie finger, dirt-free and as smooth as if they’d been individually turned on a lathe. Right? Guess again, city boy.
In the 2010 documentary And This Is My Garden, Winnipeg filmmaker Katharina Stieffenhofer follows school teacher Eleanor Woitowicz of Mel Johnson School in Wabowden, northern Manitoba, as she educates a class of Grade Five students on how to raise vegetables in backyard gardens. The goal is to empower the kids to sustainably grow their own food; the result is this engaging, internationally acclaimed film (Winner Most Inspirational at the Ecofocus Film Festival; 2011 Winner of the Audience Award Inspiring Lives! Princeton Environmental Film Festival) chronicling how children’s lives can be altered in positive ways by the power of education. The 58-minute film follows the students from planting to harvesting to a community feast.
This is a Cheap Date in more ways than one: first, admission to the flick (at Cardel Park, 180 Quarry Park Blvd. S.E. on Monday, March 19, 7 p.m.) is free with a food-bank donation and, second, you may come away inspired to plant a backyard garden this spring and reap your own affordable and tasty rewards. Following the film, which is brought to you by local non-profit association R.E.A.P. (Respect for the Earth and All People), chat with local gardening types and peruse displays of local community gardens for inspiration.
Pre-Show Dirt: Garden Lounger
Get in the vegetable-growing mood before you see the documentary by spending time wandering the aisles of Green Gate Gardening Centres, one of the movie’s sponsors. While it’s still too early to plant outdoors, now is the perfect time to start planting long-season or warm-weather veggies inside— including broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, herbs and, for the adventurous Calgary gardener, melons. Stock up on seeds and seed-starting equipment such as humidity trays and mini-greenhouses, or just wander, breathe in some mossy goodness and help yourself to a free coffee or hot chocolate in the lounge while you dream of cultivating your garden after the snow melts.
Green Gate is at 14111 Macleod Tr. S. Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. (403) 256-1212, greengate.ca.
Thank you for screening the film. Katharina worked very hard to create this wonderful film. She took the time to highlight the beauty of our small northern community. Our students will feel proud to know that others are continuing to watch the documentary. Much appreciate the interest in our project and we hope it will inspire others to garden even though it can be hard work but at the same time, very therapeutic and rewarding. Once again thanks!
Eleanor Woitowicz
9:49 AM