A Local Garden with a Global Impact

The Green & Gold Community Garden is a community garden with a difference. We think of it as a garden with both local and global benefits. The Garden is run by volunteers and is located on the beautiful University of Alberta Farm in the heart of Edmonton. Our produce is grown using organic gardening practices, with no pesticides or herbicides. The Garden is open to the public during twice-weekly markets, when our freshly picked produce is available. All of the proceeds go towards supporting the Tubahumurize Association in Rwanda. Bring your family and friends to see a small working farm, learn about growing food locally, walk around the paths and enjoy the Garden!

Our History

In 2008, Dr. Sarah Bowen, a professor in the School of Public Health, and her husband, Eduardo Parada, asked the University of Alberta for space to create a community garden on the University’s South Campus farmland. They had previously raised funds for Tubahumurize from their garden in Manitoba, selling their garden produce to friends and neighbours. With a plot of University land and a small band of volunteers, the first seeds were planted in the spring of 2009. Despite a summer drought that year, most of the crops thrived and the first market opened. Since then, the Green & Gold Community Garden has flourished.

In Memoriam

It is with profound grief and sadness that we are letting you know that Dr. Shirley Ross, a founder of the Green & Gold Community Garden, and its long-time manager and driving force, has passed away.

Supporting Tubahumurize

The Tubahumurize Association is a not-for-profit organization that supports socially and economically marginalized women in Rwanda. One of the programs offered at Tubahumurize is a sewing program that provides students with a marketable skill. Many of the Garden volunteers and supporters hold craft sales to sell the handicrafts in Edmonton. Handicrafts such as bags, household items, toys and jewellery are sold at select Saturday garden markets in summer. Special orders for Tubahumurize quilts can be placed through the Garden.

Funds Raised

Thanks to the generous donations from the Edmonton community, the Green & Gold Community Garden has to date raised over $568,000 for the Tubahumurize Association. Each year’s fundraising total is a combination of amounts raised from both garden produce donations and the sale of products and crafts made by the women of Tubahumurize. 

  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009

Thank You To Our Supporters

University of Alberta

 

The Green & Gold Community Garden is supported by the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) which allows us to use two acres of land on the University’s farm on South Campus. ALES provides compost, use of irrigation and equipment, greenhouse space, storage space and manages the Garden financial accounting. In the past, along with ALES, the School of Public Health and the Office of Sustainability have also provided support to the Garden through communications, accounting and sustainability grants. We are very grateful to the University for their continued support.

2023 Garden Donors

 

Many thanks to the donors who gave us seeds, plants, gardening supplies, graphic design help, grant funding, and other support this year. And, thank you to our generous customers who often top up their produce purchases with extra donations to Tubahumurize.

  • BMR Greenhouses
  • Edmonton Potato Growers
  • Fort Edmonton Greenhouse
  • Mojo Jojo Pickles
  • Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds
  • Parkland Potato Varieties
  • Salisbury Greenhouse
  • Strathcona MicroGreens
  • Sustainable Food Edmonton
  • TD Bank Friends of the Environment
  • 20/20 Seed Labs Inc.
  • University of Alberta, Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
  • University of Alberta, Energy & Climate Action
  • University of Alberta, Facilities & Operations
  • West Coast Seeds