Horticultural society has long history

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/12/2019 (2229 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The historic St. James Horticultural Society is an important community–based organization that has been serving St. James for over 100 years.

The society has contributed greatly to our community through the provision of gardening information, flower-arranging workshops, and the operation of a large garden on Silver Avenue which rents plots to interested community members.

The society has a rich history which dates back to the First World War. Opening its doors in 1914, the organization was developed to support the war effort by helping women grow food and sustain their way of life.

The society hosts an annual exhibition, inviting members and other clubs in Winnipeg to enter and compete in a variety of categories ranging from junior to advance. Members can also rent gardening plots from May to September. The organization provides a wealth of information and instruction on gardening, and holds monthly meetings which are open to the public.

Like many non-profit organizations which serve our communities, the society is volunteer-driven. They operate with a staff of 20 volunteers. This makes it heavily reliant upon donations from community members as well as grants from philanthropic organizations. They remain in need of additional funding and would be happy to accept donations from interested community members!

Theft is an increasing concern as the society has experienced a notable increase in the amount of stolen vegetables and produce from garden plots. The organization is examining the possibility of using donations and funding to cover the costs of installing fencing and other security measures in the gardens. This speaks volumes to the need for more government support for community and school nutrition programs.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a society board meeting where I learned more about the work of this incredible organization. They are committed to ensuring their work continues long into the future and our community stands to benefit greatly from their efforts.

The good people at the St. James Horticultural Society emphasized that services are available to everyone, and all are welcome to bring friends and family to join in on the gardening fun. As spring approaches, I encourage you all to drop in and learn more about gardening from some of their talented members.
Thank you to all the volunteers and members of the St. James Horticultural Society for bringing our community closer together. Your work exemplifies community development in action.

Should you have any concerns or issues you’d like to share, please reach out to me by email at adrien.sala@leg.gov.mb.ca or phone at 204-792-8779. Our offices are located at 1885 Portage Ave. Unit E.