2026 GRIN Grant Recipitants were introduced to our membership May 28 at the education event. We are so happy to support 3 exciting gardening projects with our grants. All of them will help us to achieve our mandate to educate, promote and support gardening in Regina and surrounding area for the enhancement of the local environment and quality of life.
The GRIN Grant expanded to 3 grants of 2,000.00 each with the generous support of the Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG), which is a student/government funded resource centre at the University of Regina committed to social and environmental justice.
Al Ritchie Community Association “Roots & Resilience Garden: Growing food, community and Biodiversity in Core Richie”
The Roots & Resilience Garden aims to create a dual-purpose community garden that balances: High-yield food production to support ARCA’s food pantry (serving 1,500 – 2,000 individuals monthly) and Pollinator-friendly and native plant spaces to support biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Their vision is to transform underutilized space into a living ecosystem and food security hub, where community members can:
- Grow fresh produce for themselves and for those experiencing food insecurity.
- Learn sustainable gardening practices.
- Reconnect with land-based knowledge and cultural traditions.
This project will serve as a model of urban food resilience, rooted in community, education and environmental stewardship.
North Central Community Association “Growing More Accessible” Located at the mâmawêyatitân garden.
The garden currently consists of many in-ground raised beds, fruit trees, grape vines and native prairie plants. The new accessible garden beds will be located just to the west of the raised beds and accessed from the paved sidewalk.
The new beds will be more easily reached by folks in wheelchairs or mobility scooters, those who use walkers or canes, and those who aren’t able to sit or kneel down to the level of the current in-ground beds. The new beds will be accessible from the paved sidewalk, making it easier for folks with mobility devices.
All of the plants are grown together, as a community, and all of the produce is available for free to everyone. By having more accessible garden beds, more community members can access our events (community planting days, work bees, harvest stands) and benefit from free, fresh produce right in North Central. Each growing season they partner with CIR to plant, water, harvest, do garden-themed crafts, and simply to enjoy being outside in the gardens.
Thom Collegiate Garden Club “Far Out Foods”
This garden speaks to the necessity of far out thinking and a generative imagination in relation to small-scale urban farming. Food has the potential to be a primary driver of social change. At the same time, food can often be taken for granted, especially by those who have never experienced food insecurity.
Far Out Foods extends community care as well as the urgent need to believe in and practice the for out idea that folks can grow their own food in a sustainable way that is healthy for the planet. They also like the name Far Out as the garden can be space-themed which is quirky and inspires creative design elements to engage children. The garden lot began at 2134 York street. It currently has 15 raised beds, and an inground garden.
Their intention is to continue developing the garden as both an educational and community hub. The garden provides experiential learning to teach a variety of topics in the Saskatchewan science curriculum. Students in Biology 30 classes learn about plant diversity, evolution, plant communication, mycorrhizal symbionts. Students in Environmental Science 20 learn about soil health, agriculture, and water cycles. Students in Science 10 learn about sustainability. Students in Health Science 20 learn about nutrition and food sovereignty. In Science 9 students learn about plant reproduction. Students in the Wild Router have the opportunity to meet outcomes based on leadership and community.
The GRIN Grant 2026 gardens will be in the Walk Gawk and Talk garden tour July 26. They are all very excited to show us their wonderful gardens and projects.
The RHS GRIN committee:
Susanne Ardnt – Chair
Brenda Niskala
Pamela Labelle
Katharine Garner -Board liason
The RHS members only Summer Social will be held Thursday June 25, 2026. Watch you email for your invitation to RSVP, Spaces will be limited.
Sunday July 26– The RHS annual Walk Talk & Gawk garden tour is in July when our gardens are in their full glory. Members volunteer their gardens and yards to be included in the tour. Tour passes are free for members and only $5.00 for the public. RHS members have some of the most creative and inspiring gardens to explore. The three GRIN Grant gardens will be on the tour.