--- title: Red Deer’s Common Ground Garden builds food security, community growth and connection description: Red Deer’s Common Ground Garden is a volunteer-led urban farming project backed by ReThink Red Deer. image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Common-Ground-Garden-sunset.jpg --- [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=200&height=47&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) # Red Deer’s Common Ground Garden builds food security, community growth and connection Posted on November 11, 2021 [By Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/central-alberta-poverty-reduction-alliance) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Red Deer’s [Common Ground Garden](https://rethinkreddeer.ca/commonground) is a new urban farming project that increases food security, encourages social enterprise, shares knowledge and creates social connection. Its four-acre public space offers inclusion, sustainability and fellowship. The garden serves as a safe, vibrant and accessible space that everyone in the community can access, and foods that are grown benefit local food banks. The project offers regular volunteer opportunities and educational workshops, and its natural environment supports mental and physical well-being. ### ![Common-Ground-Garden-sunset](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Common-Ground-Garden-sunset.jpg?width=350&name=Common-Ground-Garden-sunset.jpg)A local solution for food insecurity The Common Ground Garden grew from a conversation among concerned citizens that families in Red Deer were going hungry because of the pandemic. These partners identified that improving access to fresh, local produce and building awareness of how to grow organically in an urban environment was a means to both alleviate and prevent food insecurity in Red Deer. In researching other urban agriculture projects that had a similar scope of practice, it was resolved that such projects do have a positive effect on both food security and building community connections both of which help build resiliency. ### ![Common-Ground-Garden-market](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Common-Ground-Garden-market.jpg?width=350&name=Common-Ground-Garden-market.jpg)Sustainable living in Red Deer Backed by [ReThink Red Deer](https://rethinkreddeer.ca/), the project is a volunteer-led collaboration that builds upon ReThink Red Deer’s decade of success in community building through urban agriculture and sustainable living. The City of Red Deer provided space in the Capstone district and is actively supporting the project with compost, water and expertise. Members of Common Ground come from diverse backgrounds, including the following: - The local community - People involved in urban agriculture and gardening - Representatives from the [Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance](http://capovertyreduction.ca/) - Community organizations, some of whom also benefit from this project - Cultural groups - Local businesses ### ![Common-Ground-Garden-map_cropped](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Common-Ground-Garden-map_cropped.jpg?width=350&name=Common-Ground-Garden-map_cropped.jpg)Growing over time The Common Ground Garden is a multiphase project that, over time, will consist of a number of interactive, accessible garden spaces. Garden A was created in the project’s first year and grew fruits and vegetables that were shared with local community organizations such as the [Food Bank](https://reddeerfoodbank.com/) and [Mustard Seed](https://theseed.ca/red-deer-urgently-needed-items). Planning for year two is already underway. ### About the Red Deer Common Ground Garden **Vision:** A four-season urban garden that is open to everyone **Mission**: Fostering sustainable food security, connecting to the land, sharing seeds of knowledge, and growing an inclusive community. **Mantra: **We value Community – Growth – Connection   ## Resources: - Visit Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA)’s [webpage](http://capovertyreduction.ca/) - Watch the Common Ground Summer 2021 [slideshow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1pkmosPn50) - Learn more about [Communities Ending Poverty](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/communitiesendingpoverty?hsLang=en-us) and how to become a member   Topics: [Poverty Reduction](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/poverty-reduction), [food security](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/food-security), [Alberta](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/alberta), [CRP Blogs](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/crp-blogs), [Homepage Blog](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/homepage-blog), [Agriculture](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/agriculture) ![Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/igor-kyryliuk-Calgary.jpg) ### By [Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/central-alberta-poverty-reduction-alliance) Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance, or CAPRA, is a group of people and organizations who work collaboratively to find local solutions and make a real difference on poverty. ## Related Posts [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Silhouette-person-Toronto-island-widescreen.png)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/canada-needs-a-rights-based-approach-to-anti-poverty-strategies?hsLang=en-us) #### [Canada Needs a Rights-Based Approach to Anti-Poverty Strategies](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/canada-needs-a-rights-based-approach-to-anti-poverty-strategies?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Summit-for-strength-dias.png)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/event-recap-communities-ending-poverty-summit-for-strength?hsLang=en-us) #### [Event Recap: Communities Ending Poverty: Summit for Strength](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/event-recap-communities-ending-poverty-summit-for-strength?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Overdue-bills-image.png)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/financially-vulnerable-fight-to-rebuild-financial-health?hsLang=en-us) #### [Financially Vulnerable Fight to Rebuild Financial Health](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/financially-vulnerable-fight-to-rebuild-financial-health?hsLang=en-us) [![BACK TO THE LATEST](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829) [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=3401&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) ### Tamarack [Home](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) [Latest](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest) [Events](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/eventlisting?hsLang=en-us) [Donate](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/donate?hsLang=en-us) [About](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/whoweare?hsLang=en-us) ### Follow Us [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/TamarackInstitute) [** ** ](https://twitter.com/Tamarack_Inst) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tamarack-institute-for-community-engagement)   In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth we honour and acknowledge that our work occurs across Turtle Island (North America), which has been home since time immemorial to the ancestors of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. ### Subscribe Be in the know. Get the latest updates, events and resources about community change. [Learn More](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/subscribe?hsLang=en-us) Tamarack Institute © 2023