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Town’s residents can enjoy the ‘fruits’ of their labor

Published: December 06, 2021

Peace Community Church garden and orchard project in northeast BC offers a ‘hand up’ while fighting hunger

A community garden with ripe selection including fresh berries, pears, tomatoes and herbs is a charming addition to any community.

But the history behind it is even sweeter.

Ashlee Kirschner, founder of the orchard and garden project in Taylor, BC, embarked on the passion project after experiencing food insecurity herself many years ago. In an effort to help community members who may be facing similar struggles, she brought forward the idea for a local garden to the town’s Peace Community Church.

“I remember being given things to help me out, and it sometimes made me feel like a charity case,” says Kirschner. “I would feel much more comfortable accepting these gifts when I had to work for it, like when I received invitations to work on a friend’s farm.”

Now, the community garden and orchard offers a place for visitors to pick fruits and vegetables themselves when they need it, no questions-asked.

“You don’t always just want handouts,” she says.

Two years ago, when Kirschner noticed the lot beside the church had plenty of unused green space, it didn’t take long for the community to get behind her and provide connections to those who could give a helping hand or financial contribution.

The orchard was launched when people were itching to get outside, too. Kirschner and her volunteer helpers started the garden in April 2020, and with two seasons under their belt they can start to enjoy the “fruits” of their labour.

In fact, many have started to visit the orchard for more than just food—they come seeking a place for connection.

“I love seeing the children run around the garden after church on Sundays and the different visitors that trickle in to pick fruit,” says Kirschner. “Being a mom myself, it’s relaxing to sit there and read while knowing the kids are playing in a fully fenced area.”

This year, Enbridge awarded the Taylor Community Gardens and Orchard Project a $20,000 Fueling Futures grant as part of our commitment to improve quality of life in communities near our operations. The funds were used to help build a fence around the orchard, and install concrete benches and wheelchair-accessible tables.

Though Kirschner’s struggles are in the past—she and her husband’s landscaping business is thriving, with a number of offshoot projects—Kirschner acknowledges how far she’s come while recognizing she can make the journey a little easier for others.

“If I had had something like this at the time when I was struggling, it would have felt like a huge blessing to me.”

(TOP PHOTO: Jars of jam made from fruit grown at the Taylor Community Gardens and Orchard Project and donated by community members. The jam is included in Christmas hampers distributed by the Peace Community Church.)

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