In February 2018, under the Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant (OTF, received in 2017-2018), when Christine Matheson came on board as SOG Manager & Gardening Coach a Program Coordinator was also hired to ease the burden of administrative requirements. The SOG team contacted SOG sites from 2017 and began preparing for the growing season. SOG has a policy of usually working with groups for a three-year cycle: In year One we support all aspects of the gardening season and give supplies generously, in year Two, we reduce the gardening support and donated supplies to some extent and in year Three, we prepare gardening groups to garden autonomously. From year One, we organize Garden Committees to train participants to manage their own decisions around the gardens.

Ultimately, the SOG sites for 2018 were:

  • 3020 Woodroffe Ave, South Nepean Muslim Centre – community gardens (6 gardeners, 2nd year)
  • 1909 Russell Rd, Russell Manor – OCH community garden (20 gardeners, 1st year)
  • 1445 Clementine Ave, Clementine towers – OCH community garden (24 gardeners, 2nd year)
  • 800 St. Laurent – OCH community garden (22 gardeners, 4th and final year)
  • 300 Lacasse – OCH community garden – no gardening this year, 6 gardeners participated in workshops, 2nd year
  • 3123 Carp Rd., West Ottawa Community Church- raised beds built for senior gardeners, workshops given. This group enjoyed SOG’s leadership in 2018 but were well able to garden independently of SOG which is our objective for all gardening groups.
  • 959 Wellington St. W, OCISO (Ottawa Community Immigrant Services) – no garden, indoor workshops 15 gardeners (2nd year)
  • 55 Clary St. Seniors’ Group (Through OCISO) – no garden, indoor workshops 15 gardeners (1st year)
  • Barrhaven Indo-Canadian Seniors group (through OCISO) – no garden, indoor workshops, 50 + participants
  • Wabano Aboriginal Wellness Centre Seniors Circle – 15 + gardeners (3rd and Final Year)

Over 150 participants were recorded for SOG in 2018. Each site received 3-6 workshops given in person by the Program Manager, supported by the Program Coordinator. A new garden site was built at the West Ottawa Christian Community on Carp Road. A final report was prepared for OTF and submitted upon the end date of the grant in October 2018.