Al Elliott found a creative way to make one of his fields profitable: he made it a community garden. Almost before it started, his project is already stirring the enthusiasm of the residents of neighboring towns.
A retired soldier, Al Elliott uses his 40-acre property, located 13 kilometers east of Edmonton, mainly to graze and walk the horses he rides.
Previously, he realized that one of his farms – where he planted alfalfa and timothy for straw over 10 years ago – was unnecessary or particularly profitable. .
So he had the idea to turn this field into a community garden.
” I thought to myself that the people who live in Edmonton have no place to have a garden. I own all these lands. I thought it could be a win-win situation. “
He first floated the idea in 2019 before giving it up, believing there wouldn’t be enough people interested. This spring, he tried again.
” The demand exceeded my expectations! “
For $ 50, those interested can rent a plot of 93 m2 (1000 ft2) between 1eh May and October 31.
In one month, 34 people booked them. Dozens of others contacted Al Elliott for information.
He said gardeners usually come from Sherwood Park, Edmonton or Fort Saskatchewan. Some are immigrants looking to grow vegetables from their home country that they find hard to find in grocery stores.
Carrots, beets, lettuce and spinach began to appear on the ground. Someone even planted a flower.
” I just tell them what they plant has to be legal in Canada. “
He set up a picnic area near the field so people could chat and relax.
The roof is also used to collect rainwater, which gardeners can use to water their plants.
They can also pay to rent and fill a 1,000 -liter water tank to facilitate their work.
Al Elliott explained that he believes his land will definitely be more profitable this way, but he also wants the prices to remain affordable for his clients.
I’m just not looking at it from a monetary point of view. I am so happy to do this. I met a lot of new people. […] I’m retired and it gives me a whole new audience to talk to!he said.
He is already preparing approximately twenty plots for potential clients. He hopes to fill all his fields properly.
Source: Radio-Canada
