Green thumbs and new chums

Seniors and high school students in North Kildonan are growing vegetables and community through a unique indoor gardening project.

Three years ago, Donwood Manor, which is owned by eight Mennonite Brethren churches in Winnipeg, purchased six three-tier indoor hydroponic gardens.

Through hydroponic gardening, plants can be grown indoors using a water-based nutrient solution that produces food like lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and herbs year-round.

The goal for Donwood was to use the garden vegetables to supplement meals for the 181 residents in the facility’s long-term care section, and for tenants in the 118 attached independent-living apartments.

At the same time, it would be a way for residents who enjoy gardening to be active, keep up their interests and use their skills, said tenant resource coordinator and volunteer resources manager Jennifer Kappy.

“So many of our tenants used to have gardens at their homes,” she said. “It was one of things they loved about being in their own homes. They miss that.”

Kappy also wanted to use the garden as a way to bring young people to the facility to engage with older adults.

“I wanted to create a way for different generations to share knowledge, form relationships and learn and work together towards a common goal,” she said.

To accomplish that, Kappy reached out to nearby River East Collegiate.

Anita Stepaniuk, who teaches German and English as a second language, responded, seeing it as a great way for students to learn about sustainability and to get to know seniors in the neighbourhood.

“It’s not just about growing vegetables,” said Stepaniuk, who organized the student involvement with Danielle Fontaine, a physical education teacher. “It’s about growing intergenerational relationships between the students and the residents.”

The project — called Growing Together — sees students visit Donwood once a week from January to June to plant seeds, harvest together and connect over gardening.

Not only does it benefit the students, who get to meet and learn from seniors, but the older adults are also enriched. “It brightens their day when the students are here,” Stepaniuk said.

Grade 11 student Dyhani Patel said she enjoys participating in the project for several reasons, including advancing her career aspirations.

“This will help since I expect to be working with seniors through nursing,” she said.

Another student, Dyana Kehler, has embraced the nature aspect of the project.

“This allows me to be connected with nature, get volunteer experience and get to know seniors at Donwood,” she said.

“I like hearing their stories,” added Jenna Martino, who is in Grade 11.

Anita Warkentin, who lives in an apartment at Donwood, said the best thing about the project are the relationships residents are building with students. “They inspire me,” the 88-year-old said.

“I like gardening, and I like to see the students learn more about it,” added Adina Goertzen, 95.

Another resident, who is dedicated to ensuring the gardens have enough water and nutrients, said she loves watching the vegetables grow.

“I check on them every day. But the best part is being with the students,” said Melba Doerksen, 78.

Donwood volunteer Heidi Goertz organizes the weekly planting and harvesting sessions. “It’s wonderful to see the relationships that have bloomed through this gardening project,” she said. “It’s a real blessing.”

In addition to growing vegetables and herbs for residents, the seniors and students grow plants for Donwood’s annual garden sale, and also for residents who live nearby in homes managed by Manitoba Housing.

“That’s also part of our mission as a faith-based organization,” said Kappy, noting plants are donated to Manitoba Housing residents so they can grow food. “It’s about showing love for our neighbours, many of whom are newcomers or single parent families.”

The project was made possible by grants from the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program and the Community Housing Transformation Centre, a national non-profit organization that supports and strengthens Canada’s community housing sector.

In 2024, the project received a Healthy Aging award from the provincial government. The award celebrates projects and people that work to improve the health and well-being of older adults.

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