Bruce Botanical Food Gardens - bad news, good news

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Published: 24 June 2018

Bruce Botanical Food Gardens has a big mandate on a small acreage in Ripley.

"Our goal is to increase Canada's food plant diversity while addressing the issues of food insecurity, reducing environmental impacts and opening up opportunities to sustain small farm operations.

Come enjoy our rustic surroundings, reconnect with food and its sometimes crazy history. Some of our plants date back to 4000BC!"

This week there has been a serious setback. From their Facebook, June 20

Very sad to have to report the following:

In the early morning of Wednesday, June 20th, the OPP were called to the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens at 62 Park Street, Ripley to investigate a break in and vandalism. The gatehouse and donation box had been broken into, and the vast majority of the gardens unique collection of seeds of rare, endangered and heirloom world food plants were stolen. Vandalism in the form of graffiti was left on the "Learning Centre" hoop house. Some plants were also removed.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the South Bruce OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca. The OPP and the Special Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation.

And on June 24:

We at the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens want to say a huge thanks to everyone who has written messages of support and condolences for what happened at the gardens earlier this week. We are truly grateful!! If nothing else this very unfortunate incident has put us "on the map" in terms of awareness of the BBFG, with our post having now reached over 10,000 people. That is undoubtedly a new record :-) Two people have kindly offered to set up donation jars at their places of work and I will be writing to thank them personally. As the gardens are totally reliant on donations, sponsorships and volunteers to continue to do our work for the community and surrounding areas, everything helps, especially now. Any donations may be made at the front of the gatehouse at the BBFG (just lift the clearly marked wooden flap) Thurs - Sun, from 10-4, with the donation box being emptied daily. Again, we are so very thankful for everyone who has reached out to us with your messages of support and caring, and to all volunteers coming out to help. Onwards & upwards!

photo credit: Deborah Simpson