Our Story: Nurturing a Sustainable Food System in Durham Region
Durham Integrated Growers (DIG) sprouted from the passion and vision of local garden coordinators and urban agriculture enthusiasts in November 2009. Recognizing the need for a central organization to represent and advocate for their diverse projects, they came together to form DIG.
Early Roots and Growth
DIG’s informal roots trace back to the Durham Region Community Garden Network, nurtured by the Durham Region Health Department’s “Durham Lives!” initiative. The network emerged from community interest in starting and funding community gardens.
As the network evolved, it became clear that a more formal organization was needed to support and advocate for the diverse urban agriculture projects emerging in the region and those who initiate them. This realization led to the formation of DIG in 2009, with a broader mandate to encompass diverse forms of urban agriculture across the Durham Region – from community gardens and urban farms to orchards and pollinator gardens.
On August 23, 2013, DIG received its incorporation papers and officially became Durham Integrated Growers for a Sustainable Community (DIG), culminating months of dedicated work by board members. DIG was grateful for the support of Kathy Simpson at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Marlene Werry then with the Region of Durham) who facilitated this process. DIG's urban agriculture mandate was endorsed by Durham Region Council on June 5, 2013, solidifying its role in the community.
DIG actively engages with the community through events, workshops, annual tour, and outreach initiatives to create awareness of the amazing urban agriculture projects in the Region of Durham.. We maintain an informative website (www.durhamdigs.ca) and are active on social media. We offer mentoring to start-up and established garden projects.We welcome your questions. Additionally, we offer small financial grants as able to support the establishment of new community gardens .
A Decade of Growth and Beyond
At DIG, we are dedicated to fostering a thriving and sustainable food system in Durham. Our work is guided by the following principles:
DIG has made significant contributions to the urban agriculture landscape in Durham Region by:
Advocacy: Promoting and educating toward sustainable food production and access to healthy, local food .
Membership is voluntary and open to all local individuals and organizations that agree with DIG’s vision, mission, mandate and objectives, and are willing to actively participate.