Grace Gardens
learning how to grow, harvest, store, and prepare nutritious food
Grace Gardens teaches people, especially those experiencing poverty, how to grow, harvest, store, and prepare nutritious food, herbs, and medicinal plants. Produce is shared with volunteers, donated to local food banks and partner agencies, and sold on a small scale to help sustain the program. Seasonal workshops in organic growing, soil care, harvesting, and composting make this learning accessible to all.
With food insecurity rising in Canada and worldwide, Grace Gardens offers a practical, replicable response, one that builds not just nourishment but confidence, connection, and resilience. We also inspire people to grow food and herbs in their own spaces, from balconies to backyards to community gardens.
Looking ahead, we envision bringing hands-on growing support directly into communities, helping people establish gardens, greenhouses, and food storage where they live, while partnering with shelters, food banks, and nonprofit housing to reach those most in need.
Every garden, however small, is an act of care for the planet.
Cherishing Our Planet
developing & sharing practical knowledge of respecting & caring for the natural systems.
This program develops and shares practical knowledge of respecting and caring for the natural systems that sustain all life. Through ecological restoration of wetlands, native habitats, and forest ecosystems, we regenerate the land while creating meaningful opportunities for people to reconnect with nature. Native and medicinal plants throughout our meadows and forests support a rich diversity of species, each part of a living system where all things depend on one another.
We are working to establish demonstration sites, such as a white pine grove showcasing the tree's healing properties, as science shows its aerosols can lift mood and support immune health. We also offer occasional guided walks and talks with ecological experts.
The knowledge developed here is being shaped into replicable resources that communities across Canada can adapt and apply.
“Look deep into nature, and you will understand everything better.” -Albert Einstein
Sharing Wisdom
Wisdom sharing is not a separate stream of our work - it flows through everything we do
The teachings of Elder Vern, imparted to our founder Leslie Fell, continue to guide our work. We also gather teachings from master gardeners, permaculture and ecological experts, and Indigenous elders, alongside advisors like Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger, who bring world-class scientific and traditional knowledge. Wisdom is present in all that we do and is meant to be passed on.
Visitors to our flagship site have recognized and affirmed the rare medicinal and native plants found throughout our forests, and each visit deepens the living knowledge we nurture and share. We are growing a living archive of filmed interviews, seasonal storytelling, and digital resources featuring elders, Indigenous knowledge keepers, ecologists, and practitioners, ensuring this wisdom is accessible to learners across Canada.
