OPIRG McMaster
Community Garden
Harvested cherries
About us
Launched in 2020, the OPIRG McMaster Community Garden is a student-led initiative dedicated to improving access to healthy food for the McMaster community. This summer we have been donating all of our produce to Locke St Fridge and in the fall we will donate to on-campus food security services during the school year. We aim to create a welcoming space where volunteers and community members can learn about gardening, sustainable food production, and food justice.
Volunteers
Our work would not be possible without a dedicated group of volunteers. Over 60 McMaster students get their hands in the dirt to harvest 200 or more pounds of produce from our garden every year. Our applications for new volunteers open every spring and fall.
Volunteers in garden 1
Our Team
Thush Gnanamuttu and Olivia Rowan are the ongoing coordinators for the 2024-2025 season. They oversee all decisions made for the garden and coordinate the volunteer team. New coordinators are onboarded every spring. The garden also has a volunteer committee that manages our social media, event planning, and finances. Applications for committee members open in the fall.
Thush & Olivia
Expansion Project
Location of gardens
Opening in Spring 2025, we will be introducing a fully accessible garden. This space will include wheelchair-accessible paths, raised garden beds, and a variety of accessible gardening tools and seating. This project will double the garden’s growing potential from what it currently produces, provide a space for accessible programming, and increase greenspace for students to enjoy on campus.
Programming
Hamilton Farm Crawl
As part of our mission to provide educational opportunities to help people learn about sustainable gardening practices, we run a variety of community programming. Currently, we are working with the McMaster Children’s hospital and the McMaster SUSTAIN 1S03 Introduction to Sustainability course. Through our learn to garden workshops, garden tours and curriculum development, we hope to decrease barriers to food justice education in Hamilton.
Our Partners
OPIRG McMaster
McMaster Okanagan Office of Health and Wellbeing
Raised Garden Beds Canada
Location
Our main garden is across the street from Phoenix Craft House and Grill. The expansion is a two minute walk from our current space, located right behind the Burke Science Building.
Connect with us
Interested in learning more or supporting our work? We’d love to hear from you!