A community garden that sells its produce in support of women in Rwanda
report by Arshdeep Kaur
The Green and Gold community garden is tucked away at the south end of the University farm on the University of Alberta’s South Campus and is more than just a plot of land growing vegetables. Unlike typical community gardens where you rent a plot, Green & Gold runs on a different model: everything is grown collectively by volunteers, and all proceeds from produce sales go to support women in Rwanda through the Tubahumurize Association, an organization that provides counseling, job training, and microloans for women rebuilding their lives after war, violence, and trauma. That means every hour spent weeding, watering, or composting isn’t just helping the garden—it’s making an impact halfway across the world.
Margaret Milner, one of the longtime volunteers, puts it simply: “It fills you up with a wonderful feeling of making a difference.” For her the garden has become a second home. After a busy academic career, she found herself drawn to this land not just for the fresh produce, but for the purpose and relationships it fosters.
“It’s not just about growing food,” she says. “It’s about growing a community.”
The garden welcomes everyone. Anyone can stop by. To volunteer, to take a walk, or to simply sit on a bench and breathe in the scent of wildflowers. The garden has become a refuge for many. Families bring their kids to explore, seniors find a peaceful place to spend the afternoon, and even those living with dementia come here for a moment of calm. The beauty of it? There’s no pressure. Some volunteers come every week, while others drift in and out, contributing in whatever way they can, while there’s a core group of 30 keep the garden thriving. You don’t need to be an expert gardener to be part of Green & Gold. You don’t even need to commit to volunteering. Maybe you just want to sit on a bench and soak in the quiet, or take a sunset walk through the rows of kale and tomatoes. That’s encouraged too.
“We’re creating spaces where people can just come and be,” Margaret shares.
There are shaded benches, open paths, and a whole community waiting to welcome you—whether you want to dig in or just pass through.
At Green & Gold, nothing is wasted. Dale, the self-proclaimed “Master Composter,” ensures that every leaf and scrap of organic matter is returned to the soil. The garden receives leaves and wood chips from the University of Alberta, transforming them into rich compost to nourish the next season’s crops.
Many people at the garden like the ideas of the book by Robin Wall Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass: the idea that we must give back to the land as much as we take from it. It’s a small but powerful act of reciprocity—one that reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but deeply intertwined with it.
For Margaret, the garden became more than just a volunteer project. It became a new chapter of her life. After retiring from a demanding career, she found herself searching for something meaningful. Green & Gold gave her that purpose, a way to stay connected, to keep learning, to feel part of something bigger than herself.
“A lot of people don’t realize how important spaces like this are, especially for seniors,” she says. “It keeps us engaged, keeps us from feeling isolated.”
Green & Gold is more than just a garden. It’s a reminder of what it means to be part of a community. There’s no formal sign-up or obligation. Just an open invitation. The Garden sells it products in its own market on Saturdays and Tuesdays, starting in June. To know about what produce is available and stay updated, sign up to the weekly email throughout the growing season. You can also contact them on instagram if you have any questions.
The Garden also sells Rwandan handicrafts made by the women of the Tubahumurize Cooperative and the Tubahumurize Sewing and Embroidery School on the Saturday Harvest Markets.
The Tubahumurize Association has now partnered with the Garden for 17 years. In 2018 they produced a video celebrating the 10 years of the partnership, explaining what it has meant and how it has changed lives.
If you want to volunteer in the garden:
There are two orientation sessions for new and returning volunteers.
Session 1: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Session 2: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Green & Gold Garden (see map)
To attend the orientation, simply send an email indicating which day you would prefer to attend to: gggarden@ualberta.ca
If you want to buy garden produce:
Visit the Harvest Market to buy fresh produce. The Market is in the garden, and is normally open June onwards on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Green & Gold Community Garden
118 St NW and 60th Av.
(no phone listed)
website
