Three life experiences have provided me with new insights into the value of plentiful and arable land: my volunteer work with the Mission City Farmers' Market, my experience on District of Mission council, and stories narrated to me by my Swiss-born husband.

When researching the market’s history, I discovered that two of its founding members in 1996 were Brewster and Cathleen Kneen. As far back as 1980, they had been saying what the 100 Mile Challenge currently highlights: we ought to value and encourage local agriculture. Today they continue their emphasis on the values of a plentiful and quality food supply in their publication The Ram’s Horn, “…a monthly journal of food systems analysis.” I invite you to visit www.ramshorn.com.

In local government we are frequently involved in discussions of “sustainability,” but we seldom arrive at consensus on its definition. Nevertheless, I prefer the statement of the World Commission on Environment and Development: “... sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The second phrase, “...without compromising the ability of future generations,” really jumps out at me. The sacrifice of arable land to an unspecified future industrial use is, in my opinion, alarming in social, environmental, and economic terms.

Finally, my memories about World War II differ from my husband’s. He was seven when war broke out in neighboring countries. In his isolated mountain village, food became scarce and family members of all ages were called upon to plant and harvest vegetable gardens. In 1943, I lived in an apartment in Winnipeg’s North End and I remember only family discussions of Victory Gardens, which, according to Google, “…by that time numbered more than 200,000 in Canada, producing 550 pounds of produce each.” While we do not anticipate war, a local food supply could sustain our community during other catastrophic events.

As for today, I am heartened by the fact that many more citizens are growing vegetables and fruit. Communities in Bloom, Famers Market, our one Community Garden, and the 100 Mile Challenge have had a role in encouraging this development. Gardening can be good exercise, has nutritional benefit, and is certainly better for the environment than an asphalt surface! I have immediate plans to rehabilitate my herb garden, thanks to advice from Lina of Garden Works. I hate to end on a sad note, but Garden Works will be missed by many. Manager Dennis Gignac has been a strong supporter of Communities in Bloom. We wish him well in his future endeavours.

Keep blooming, Mission!

Heather Stewart volunteers with the Mission Communities in Bloom committee.