Marc's Story: "It's so much more than just a garden"

I always seem to find my way into a garden—and I’ve been at it for more than 50 years. Like they say, you can take the farmer out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the farmer! 

When I retired and moved East from Saskatchewan, I went looking for a community garden—and I found The North Grove. It is so much more than just a garden. This place brings people together around family, sharing meals, building community, and of course—growing food. 

I’ve been volunteering here since 2018, and you’ll find me at the community hub twice a week. On Thursdays, I pitch in with garden work and help prep for our weekly subsidized produce market. Sundays are for bigger garden projects—and for watching the farm come alive with families, gardeners, and curious kids visiting the chickens. 

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As a former farmer, social worker, and lifelong volunteer, I see just how special The North Grove is. It’s a place that nurtures people as much as plants—supporting food security, family well-being, and a strong sense of community. 

I find volunteering as a Farm Steward to be a very rewarding experience. Not only does this place give me space to experiment, grow, and get outside; Community members come to me to say hello, ask gardening questions, or just to chat. It’s a place to connect, for me as much as them. 

I spend a lot of time in the area I call “the scratch patch”. A few years ago, there was nothing here—so we truly started from scratch. This spot just off Primrose Street is so visible, and often the first impression folks get of the Community Farm, and The North Grove. I hope to make it look inviting, to welcome people into this place, to explore and relax. 

Today you’ll find this area filled with young fruit trees, sprawling strawberries, flowers, and unique veggies. I even tucked in a garden sculpture that I made which we call “the garden spirit.” I do believe this space has a spirit. It’s a certain energy; a shared sense of ownership and respect. It keeps this garden thriving.

The Community Farm has come a long way. We’ve built a baby barn, welcomed chickens, and created dozens of garden plots so people can grow their own food. Lots of newcomer families have arrived in Dartmouth North; many of whom have strong ties to land and agriculture in their home countries and have found space to grow here. It’s encouraging to see their resilience, creativity, and sharing of their cultures. 

Most of the folks in this community live in apartments, 86% of them, in fact. I’ve tried (a few times) to grow vegetables on my own balcony. It’s challenging to yield much in tiny, plastic pots. It's also isolating—especially since nearly half of community members live alone.  

To be honest, I miss farming.  Being outdoors, growing food, connecting to the land. I get to connect to that part of myself at The North Grove.  

The farm means a lot to me—and to so many others. Will you help us keep growing this season?

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