Image: Debbie Walker via Translucent Publicity / Chilliwack resident Debbie Walker hopes to get more families interested in gardening and growing their own food to bolster food security at an event in March.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Free event at Chilliwack farm

Free farm event aims to get more Chilliwack families, kids interested in gardening, food security

Feb 28, 2025 | 6:28 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack resident Debbie Walker hopes to get more families interested in gardening and growing their own food to bolster food security at an event in March.

Walker, who works as a publicist with Translucent Publicity, says the “Lettuce Grow Together” is a free gardening initiative slated for Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at Fantasy Farms, 9423 Gibsons Road in Chilliwack.

“Lettuce Grow Together” is a container gardening event that will educate and work to jump start a food security program focused towards students 5-12 years of age. The event has limited seating, so registration is required. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Working in conjunction with farmer Gary Moran at Fantasy Farms Inc., Walker says the two-hour event will instruct children about the benefits of growing their own vegetables in an effort to create more food sustainability among youth. Walker says many families within Chilliwack and other Fraser Valley communities rely heavily on local charitable organizations for hampers, meals and backpacks, however, she says other creative opportunities need to be developed.

“The decision to work with Farmer Gary and Fantasy Farms was an easy one,” Walker said. “They have a long history of hosting growing activities throughout the year and introducing Fraser Valley families to corn mazes, pumpkin patches, garlic and many other vegetable varieties.”

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In addition to the food component, Fantasy Farms is also home to bunnies, horses, goats, ducks, chickens and pigs to highlight a few of their in-house residents. The kids will be able to enjoy a tour of the farm following the activities.

Walker says Moran is thrilled to support the Oasis Gardening Initiative program. “This will jump-start the thinking of kids to plant and nurture their own vegetables, ensuring some level of security, while encouraging them to increase their options as they develop a sense of importance, along with accomplishment, that they are creating their own level of fun and entertainment, which is also tasty!”

There will be door prizes at the event. For more information or to confirm attendance, email gardeninginitiative@gmail.com. Visit the gardening initiative’s Facebook page for more details.