GROWing with Newcomers

Previous research and programs offered by The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) has demonstrated the many benefits of outdoor gardening. Gardening creates opportunities for new immigrants to grow food, learn about the local environment and climate, and apply language learning and build stronger communities through socialization. TIES’ Research & Program Development team is pleased to continue offering gardening programs through the GROWing with Newcomers Project.

Project Information

What is the GROWing with Newcomers Project?

The GROWing with Newcomers Project runs from August 2023 to July 2024. During this project, students and teachers from local immigrant-serving organizations will have the opportunity to engage and learn about how to garden in Calgary, while creating connections with their peers and community. A series of instructional videos will be filmed, translated into the three most spoken languages in Calgary (other than English or French), distributed to TIES classrooms and partner organizations, and become a readily available resource for future use. Participants will be guided through instructional videos to better understand gardening in the local environment, build their knowledge and skills while sharing previous growing experience with their peers. Gardening topics include climate conditions, vegetables and fruits, indigenous plants, indoor gardening, food security and more. TIES’ local community partners on the project will contribute their expert knowledge, time and assist in dissemination of the materials created. 

What are the aims of GROWing with Newcomers?

GROWing with Newcomers aims to:  

• Improve inclusion and intergenerational connections between newcomers through gardening education videos and in-person activities, decreasing isolation and enhancing their settlement experience. 

• Improve food security education and skill building through gardening activities, videos, and workshops. 

Why is this important?

When newcomers move to Canada, they are met with many unfamiliar experiences. They are forced to adjust to a new language, climate, food and culture. However, many are familiar with gardening. Our experiences have revealed the depth of knowledge that newcomers bring about soil regeneration, plant growth, and human-animal relationships as many of them have backgrounds in traditional farming in their home countries. Additionally, consistent with the literature (Draper & Freedman, 2010), we have found that a publicly accessible green space helped with the social integration of newcomers, as well as influenced their mental and physical health. 

Project Activities

• Create instructional gardening videos.
• Translate and subtitle videos into three most spoken languages in Calgary (Punjabi, Tagalog, Mandarin).
• Distribute videos to immigrant service provider organizations.
• Offer and provide materials for workshops.

References

Draper, C., & Freedman, D. (2010). Review and analysis of the benefits, purposes, and motivations associated with community gardening in the United States. Journal of Community Practice, 18(4), 458-492.