​Retired women teachers learn about the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley

It’s been a long, cool spring but the atmosphere at the spring meeting of the South Bruce Retired Women Teachers of Ontario/Organization des eneignantes retraitées de l’Ontario (RWTO/OERO), April 10, was warm indeed.

Thirty members gathered at the Walker House in Southampton to socialize and learn about a local agricultural gem, the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley.

Prior to the meal, president Frances Nixon reviewed resolutions for the provincial annual general meeting in June and solicited members’ views on the various issues. She and vice-president JoAnn Ruetz will attend as delegates.

A request for sponsorship support from the literacy group, Books in the Bruce, was approved, and treasurer Heather Keelan presented the financial report.

Betty Johnson presented updates on the supplemental health insurance program, while Dianne Simpson gave her goodwill report on member milestone birthdays and other news. After many years in the role, she declared it was time to step back. Happily, Lynda Cerson offered to take it on.

Following a delicious meal and still-warm-from-the-oven cookies, the ladies were introduced to the guest speaker, Aprille Fox.

Fox began her relationship with the gardens as a volunteer, became a board member and served three years as the garden manager from 2022-24 where she oversaw the planning, planting and harvesting of the gardens, as well as supervision of summer staff and organizing tours and workshops. She is now the treasurer.

She detailed the founding of the gardens in 2012 by Lynne Taylor whose vision included four areas of focus: fighting food insecurity, showcasing rare and heirloom plant species, experimenting with clean, organic agricultural practices, and providing education.

Key features of the operation include a living market from June to October where members of the public may harvest produce in season by leaving a donation or by working on the grounds.

The food gardens supply fresh produce weekly to the Kincardine Food Bank and to some Lucknow and Ripley residents. Extra produce will, from time to time, be sold commercially.

Promoted widely as an agri-tourism destination, workshops and events for all age groups are offered to invite the public to experience the site. Groups can also book guided tours which often finish with a mud oven demonstration, complete with flat breads and jams made from garden produce. The Facebook page attractively details all events, including fund-raising ventures.

Fox’s love for the gardens and the community of volunteers who keep it running, was abundantly clear and inspired the retired teachers who were unfamiliar with the site, to want to visit. Their curiosity will be accommodated June 19 when the South Bruce branch will hold its year-end picnic at the food gardens.