Food forest and community garden

Wellbeing is very important to the entire team at RVC, as such we are always looking for ways to enhance not only our internal team’s wellbeing, but also members of the community. After investigating ways to improve the wellbeing of everyone it was decided to build and grow a food forest and community garden. The practice and their supporters provided the necessary funds and equipment to get the project off the ground, and staff are volunteering their time to build and plant it, and continue to ensure it is productive.

An enthusiastic gardening team was formed earlier this year to research the ins and outs of designing a garden. They toured existing gardens and invited Lesley Ottey from Eco Educate to present a composting seminar to staff to get the ball rolling.

The team would like to thank Mitre 10, Rangiora Landscape and Garden Supplies, Bennetts Sawmill, Matt Lawrey and Boehringer Ingelheim as well as Matt Stuart from Loburn Sawmill, for their generous support with the project. They would also like to thank Bill, Deb and Nick Gyde for building the raised beds.

Recently the gardening club, volunteers and family members began filling in the raised beds with goodness to aid in the healthy growth of fresh produce.

Located next to the clinic grounds, the RVC gardening team hope this will become an enjoyable space where staff and the community can spend time outside relaxing and getting their hands dirty in the soil. Eventually, there should be some yummy and healthy produce to enjoy as well! Watch this space, we'll keep you posted!