Growing Together:

A Community Approach to Health, Wellness, and Sustainability

For years, I have been working toward a goal that blends personal growth, community support, and sustainability: growing food for both ourselves and others in need. This vision has always been about more than just food—it's about fostering a culture of giving, building resilience, and creating a shared commitment to health and wellness.

The Journey of Indoor Growing

Growing plants indoors has been a rewarding yet challenging journey, especially while living in an apartment. Limited space and the need for a system that could work in smaller, confined spaces pushed me toward hydroponics. Though hydroponics is excellent for many plants, it presents challenges when it comes to root vegetables. However, this hasn’t deterred me. I am constantly testing, learning, and fine-tuning my methods. There are already successful examples of hydroponically growing root vegetables, and I’m confident I’ll continue to improve the process.

One of the primary focuses of my indoor gardening efforts has been producing fresh, nutrient-dense leafy greens. These greens serve as a base for salads, spice mixes, and even sandwiches. Plants like dandelion, plantain, and various types of lettuce not only add flavor but also contribute a wealth of nutrients, offering more than just basic sustenance.

Addressing Food Insecurity and Health

The increasing challenge of food insecurity, especially for those who struggle to access fresh, nutritious food, is something we all must acknowledge. Many people facing food insecurity are limited to low-cost, processed foods that don’t provide the essential vitamins and minerals needed for good health. As part of our mission, we aim to fill this gap by providing fresh, healthy food to those in need—completely free of charge.

In Oshawa, we’ve launched the "Not Just A Food Program" to support individuals with food, clothing, and other necessities. We’ve also been running LIFE Clothing in Oshawa, where we help meet immediate needs, and we’re expanding this effort by providing sandwiches, snacks, and bottled water each week. Over time, we plan to offer more regular meals, with an emphasis on incorporating fresh, home-grown greens into each meal.

Our goal is to build a network of individuals who are passionate about growing food for others—whether it's leafy greens for sandwiches, microgreens for added nutrients, or spices for flavor and wellness.

Innovations in Plant Growing: Small Clay Pellets for Better Seedling Success

One of the recent improvements I’ve been working on involves refining the start of the growing process. We’ve been testing different methods for seedling production, particularly with a new approach that uses smaller clay pellets. This change has proven effective in achieving more precise seed placement and reducing issues that arose with larger pellets, where seeds tended to fall and clump together.

Smaller pellets allow for better control over seed placement, ensuring that seeds remain where they are planted and don’t bunch up. By using smaller pellets, we've been able to improve the germination and growth rates of a wide variety of plants.

For example, we recently planted lettuce seeds, which have already shown a high germination rate in just 2.5 days. Additionally, we’re testing various plants in a humidity-controlled environment, where plants like Curly Dock, Dandelions, Lettuce, Plantain, and Sweet Grass are flourishing.

A Growing Network for a Greater Impact

Our efforts don’t stop at growing food. We’re also focused on creating a growing network of individuals willing to join the effort. By offering free plants and seeds through our programs, we can continue to build a collective that helps others grow their own food. In turn, we can expand our reach, providing fresh greens, herbs, and spices for meals, and offering education and hands-on experience for those interested in growing at home.

For instance, we are currently experimenting with garlic in smaller pellets, and other plants like basil, cilantro, and sweet grass are starting to thrive. These plants will contribute not only to meals but also to our seed-saving efforts, ensuring that we always have a new generation of plants to grow and share.

One of our long-term goals is to establish a dedicated space for year-round growing. This space would serve as a teaching hub, allowing individuals who lack the resources to grow at home to access space and guidance for growing their own food. This will be a space where people can come together to learn, share knowledge, and see firsthand what is possible in even the smallest living spaces.

New Plant Additions and Expanding Our Reach

As we continue to refine our methods, we’re also adding new plants to our growing roster. For example, we’ve recently started growing Mullein, Hickory, and St. John’s Wort. We’re also planning to introduce Echinacea, Lavender, Goldenrod, and Crab Grass into our growing system. These plants not only serve as valuable additions to our meals and medicinal uses but also contribute to our goal of growing heritage seeds that can be shared within our community.

Gardening in Small Spaces: A Path for Everyone

One of the key principles behind our efforts is that you don’t need a large yard or garden to grow food. Even apartment dwellers can cultivate fresh herbs, spices, and greens with a little creativity and the right tools. Whether it’s setting up a small herb garden in your kitchen, growing leafy greens in your living room, or using small grow tents for hot peppers, everyone has the potential to grow something, no matter the space.

We are committed to researching, learning, and sharing knowledge with others. Our hope is that by demonstrating what is possible in real-time, we can inspire others to take action, whether they’re looking to grow their own food for personal use or contribute to a larger community effort.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Knowledge, Expanding Impact

As we continue to grow and expand, we look forward to seeing more plants sprout, more seeds harvested, and more hands coming together to grow food for those in need. By sharing our knowledge, resources, and successes, we hope to show others that even in the face of limited space, there are abundant opportunities for growth—physically, nutritionally, and as a community.

Through this effort, we are creating a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, where food is grown and shared, where health is prioritized, and where everyone has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

LIFE – Love Is For Everyone!