There’s nothing like the taste of fresh produce. But for those living on 4 Wing Cold Lake, fresh produce can be difficult to access year-round. It is at times unavailable, or too expensive.
The U-Grow program, which got underway in the fall of 2016, allows members to experience growing their own fruits, vegetables and herbs. Not only does it provide members with the opportunity to grow their own produce, but it helps many get a better understanding of their own nutrition.
The community garden, which runs in partnership with the community recreation department, which has a full community garden on the base and allows eight of its plots to be used by various units. The program is free thanks to the support of the PSP Community Recreation and 4 Wing Cold Lake Real Property Operations and all are encouraged to participate.
In addition, there are tower gardens available to the various units on the base.
Five tower gardens were initially purchased. One was kept by the Health Promotion team to be used as the role model and encourage interest in the towers before they were dispersed to various units across the base.
“People really enjoyed having them and they proved to be quite popular,” says Lisa Fisher, Health Promotion Manager, 4 Wing Cold Lake. “There were a few units that were returned as people realized they did require some work, but for the most part people really enjoyed them.”
In addition to dealing with cold temperatures during the winter months in Cold Lake, daylight is at a premium and members found the towers and its grow lights provided a brighter work environment.
A waitlist was soon in place and now the base boasts 15 tower gardens.
In 2019, the 3rd component of the U Grow program was created. The greenhouse program was launched in partnership with Real Property Operations – roads and grounds. The organization has two greenhouses on the base to grow plants to help beautify the base and during the offseason they allow members to use its smaller greenhouse.
“We go in there and we actually have about eight units participate,” Fisher says. “We’ve run it in 2019 and thankfully the 2020 season ended before the pandemic fully started and then we had to take a break due to restrictions on the base, but we’re now back at it again.”
“The main goal with the greenhouse and garden says. “We actually did a harvest day and ended up doing a big soup with the stuff we grew. We’re hoping to do that a little more and get different units to participate.”
The tower gardens are mainly used for growing salad greens and herbs, but some units quickly realized how plentiful the crops would be and could barely keep up with the consumption to avoid waste.
For many, the U-Grow program has provided an opportunity that otherwise might not have been available.
The program “provides an opportunity for members to learn a new skill set that can help them with making healthy lifestyle choices,” such as eating more vegetables, herbs and fruit, says Tammy Buchanan, Fitness and Sports Manager at 4 Wing Cold Lake. “It also provides an opportunity for members to engage in a hobby/activity that can assist in their mental well-being and it provides an opportunity for them to socialize with other members in a non-work like environment to enhance community or a sense of belonging.”
There is a team lead for each unit for the greenhouse program with the lead usually having some idea of how to grow things but they can also be a complete neophyte who just has a passion for gardening.
“We run an orientation clinic for the greenhouse, which everyone needs to attend, so they know the rules of the greenhouse,” Fisher says. “In addition, in partnership with the greenhouse staff, we actually run a seeding and transplant clinic for members.”
Buchanan also added that the program builds capacity as members learn from each other.
While the goal is to grow produce, the environment of the greenhouse itself has also proven incredibly beneficial regardless of the success of the plantings.
“We’ve found people are really enjoying it as a bit of a mental health break from their stresses of work or personal life,” Fisher says. “They go in and it’s a nice, warm, cozy environment and the greenhouse we work in has a fish pond with a water feature and we hear a lot about how much people enjoy that.
“The program might be geared towards nutrition, but there’s a mental health aspect as well as an ability to build morale and creating those safe workplaces,” Fisher says. “When you feel connected and on the same page you’re more likely to engage in other aspects too.”
Buchanan has seen a number of benefits from the program and believes most members would embrace similar initiatives on their own base.
“Be flexible with the program and adapt to the needs of the members,” she says. “Once leadership approves the program, engage and collaborate with the partners to ensure all are on the same page with the objectives and outcomes of the program.”
Right now might be the best time to get leadership and members engaged for a new program.
“Moving forward, with the price of groceries skyrocketing, I would suggest this would be the best time to introduce a U-Grow Program to members,” Buchanan says. “They may be highly motivated to engage, learn and grow!”
If you’re a CAF leader who is looking for solutions to improve the health and wellness of your members, contact the Health Promotion Program to learn more about customized solutions that can make meaningful changes.
If you want to empower members under your command so that they can improve their health, contact the CAF Health Promotion program; their staff can help you identify barriers to health and wellness within your lines, and support you with initiatives that can contribute to meaningful change.
