MINTO – The town’s community gardens aren’t going anywhere for at least another five years.
Minto has operated community gardens since 2014, with the first located at the Harriston-Minto Community Centre. In 2015, the Clifford Community Garden was opened on a vacant lot on the main street owned by Minto residents Wesley Bates and Juanita Wilkins.
Two years later, the Palmerston Community Garden was opened at the Palmerston Evangelical Missionary Church.
According to an April 8 council report, the Harriston gardens have 28 fully-used plots, Clifford has 10 plots with six rented and several boxes needing to be replaced before they can be used again, and Palmerston is sitting at 20 fully-used boxes.
“Is there any thought to expanding these (gardens) with the increase of population?” asked deputy mayor Jean Anderson.
“In Clifford, there’s not really anymore room in that space,” replied director of economic and community development Belinda Wick-Graham.
Expansion is possible in Harriston, but the Palmerston garden doesn’t have room as it is gated, she noted.
The town has partnered with several organizations, including County of Wellington social services and the Mount Forest Family Health Team, to provide boxes for clients.
The rental agreements in place for both the Clifford and Palmerston properties have expired.
Upon consultation with both parties “we have agreed to extend the agreements for another five years (2025-2029),” stated the report. Town staff will review the program again at the end of the agreement in 2029.
According to the report, the town pays Bates/Wilkins and the Palmerston church $500 each per season (including water use) to rent the properties.
Council passed a motion in support of five-year lease agreements with Bates/Wilkins and the Palmerston church.
