There is a unique and exciting project that has been implemented into reserve life since its inception in 2009, that project is our Community Gardens. There are two gardens on the reserve known as the Upper Garden and the Lower Garden. Many positive outcomes are obtained through these gardens.
Employment for many members has surfaced out of the gardens, including: planting, weeding, picking and management. Ashcroft Indian Band has grown many vegetables over the last two years including: potatoes, squash, cucumbers, green and yellow beans, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, onions and corn. The veggies were made available for the community outside the office when it was freshly picked, but the majority of the vegetables were used for canning (salsa, stew, and vegetable mixtures) that were given away in the Christmas food hampers along with canned salmon, chocolate and Christmas meats (turkey and ham).
The excess vegetables were sold to local grocery stores and were given to staff for fresh eating or canning of their own. The Community Gardens project keeps growing every year with fresh ideas on how to expand both gardens and where/how to sell the fresh produce. For any more information on the organically grown vegetables at Ashcroft Indian Band, please feel free to phone, fax or email the office.
