The Whitby Ajax Garden Project is a volunteer driven urban agriculture project located on 5 acres in the greenbelt within the Region of Durham. Its vision is planting today for the future.
Its mission is to establish and maintain urban agriculture projects, including community gardens, to promote health and healing through urban agriculture and the natural environment, and to undertake these projects according to the Christian principles of creation care and for the benefit of all. It incorporates community garden, communal garden (food banks) and creek side restoration project.
The Whitby Ajax Garden Project (WAGP) is in its fifteenth year of producing fresh vegetables for local food banks and people in need. The Whitby Ajax Garden Project has grown and donated approximately 25,000 pounds of fresh produce over the last three years reaching 14,000 people annually; it is distributed on a regular basis throughout the growing season to approx.10 agencies and food banks in Durham Region.
In 2004, the garden began to provide plots for those who to grow and learn to grow their own food but did not have access to land or appropriate growing conditions. The plots in both growing sections now number approx.116; 53 designated for members and 63 to food banks/ agencies. Further expansion is being planned for 2015 /2016.
Further expansion in 2010 resulted in completion of a creek side restoration project, with educational paths and added a large herb garden.
The garden helped initiate the establishment of Durham Integrated Growers; provided leadership for Durham Food Charter development; is a voting member of the Durham Food Policy Council; and consults on development of other urban agricultural projects within Durham Region through DIG.