Demonstration Garden Project

OKANAGAN COLLEGE VERNON CAMPUS Demonstration Garden Project

Okanagan College - Vernon Campus is embarking on a project to create an educational space to promote sustainable practices in an effort to preserve, stimulate and promote agricultural and ecological ventures in the Okanagan Valley.

This is a Conceptual Design developed in partnership between Element Eco-Design and Okanagan College to explore the possibilities for a demonstration garden project. 2 Table of Contents

Project Objectives 4 Site Overview 5 Water Design 6 Passive Water Harvesting 8 Access Design 9 Outdoor Classroom and Social Space 10 Greenhouse 12 Community Farm 14 College Garden Plots 18 Food Forest and Native Plant Gardens 20 Implementation Plan 22 Budget 24 Summary 26

3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The Demonstration Garden Project will incorporates the principles of sustainable development where research, educational programming, and community participation can interact to advance the social, economic and environmental aspects of local sustainable agricultural and food systems practices and projects.

Okanagan College will be able to use the site for new program offerings, research in sustainable development and agricultural/ ecological practicums. Faculty members will have a space to teach in an outdoor setting to demonstrate practical applications of theoretical material. Students will benefit from hands-on experience, onsite research and examples of industry best practices. Community members will have a place to gather, learn and benefit from the therapeutic experience of growing plants.

4 Okanagan College Demonstration Site

SITE OVERVIEW The Demonstration Garden space is roughly 1.5 acres of gently rolling hillside. Site soils are well-drained sandy loams that are suitable for growing most agricultural crops. Laboratory analyses of site soil samples indicate potentially fertile conditions that will benefit from the addition of organic matter through sustainable soil management techniques. The site’s south facing slope receives generous sunlight and is climatically suitable to the widest range of crops but represents a challenge for efficient irrigation. It will be important select crops adapted to the site climate and soil conditions.

A site map will be available to visitors to use as a learning tool as they tour the site. Other educational tools such as informational plaques and species labels will be located throughout the site.

5 Conceptual Design Details

WATER several contour swales will be installed to collect excess water runoff, prevent erosion and pacify water flow on the Both passive and active watering features will be landscape. The water will be held evenly along the entire constructed to provide irrigation to crops in the most length (east-west) of the site to allow the water to infiltrate efficient manner possible. Onsite passive water harvesting into the ground. This will keep the soil moist for longer features include swales, curb cuts into rain gardens, wicking periods following rain events and help recharge ground beds and rain barrels. Active water features include a variety water sources. Excess water from the contour swales will be of irrigation systems custom tailored to each crop for sent into the perimeter swale through a simple overflow at efficient watering, including drip irrigation. each end of the contour swale. All swales will also serve as Bio-swales have already been installed along the perimeter main access ways around the site. of the site to direct excess storm water to the engineered Curb cuts in the south side of the parking lot will allow drainage system in the valley below the site. Additionally, storm water to be harvested and stored in rain gardens. The

A contour swale is a Permaculture technique for passively harvesting rain and surface runoff. The swale works to distribute water evenly across the landscape, resulting in an efﬁcient system that aids in both irrigating and drought prooﬁng the landscape.

6 rain gardens will be constructed will be directed to the contour around existing trees to swale via French drains. supplement their irrigation and process storm water. Excess water Irrigation/drainage specialist will from the rain gardens will flow be consulted to ensure efficient over level-sill spillways to be design of crop watering and site caught by the highest contour drainage systems. An irrigation swale and directed appropriately main line has been constructed on across the landscape or into the the site and lateral lines will be perimeter swale. run to individual crops. Emitters best suited to each crop will be Rainwater represents a source of used to reduce water nitrogen for plants. Rain barrels consumption. Irrigation controls will be attached to all building can be used to optimize water use roofs downspouts on the site to depending on humidity levels, collect rainwater run-off. This current rainfall and soil moisture. water can be gravity fed into the Weather meters can be installed community garden for onsite and connected to irrigation supplemental watering to reduce controls to more accurately the use of irrigation water. distribute water to each specific Overflows from the rain barrels crop.

7 Conceptual Design Details

PASSIVE WATER HARVESTING

Rainwater runoff will be captured as high as possible in the landscape and stored in either rain barrels or the soil. The passive rainwater harvesting swales will spread the water out evenly across the landscape allowing rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, as opposed to running off. The land will retain moisture longer and creating an evenly hydrated landscape. These systems will be connected to each other via ‘level sill spillways’ so the excess in one portion is used further down the hill by the next feature creating a cascading effect that protects against both drought and flood conditions.

8 ACCESSIBILITY

Site topography and accessibility were key components to the design of the site. The main site paths are either 4’ or 8‘ wide to accommodate wheelchairs, large groups or small machinery. Compacted crusher chip was chosen to keep the paths permeable for water harvesting while still maintaining a solid surface for accessibility. The community farm was located closest to the parking lot were the slope was minimal allowing optimal accessibility for community members. The community farm also contains raised beds that provide members with mobility concerns with a place to garden safely. Picnic tables and boulder seating are located throughout the site to provide members with a place to rest.

9 Conceptual Design Details

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM & SOCIAL SPACE summer sun. A shed roof structure can be added to provide additional shelter for instructors. The northwest corner of the site can be transformed into a mixed teaching and social space for faculty, students and Tables with built-in chairs can be added to provide a space community users. A semi-circular seating space facing for users to enjoy lunch, work on projects or attend north will provide a space for instruction, presentations or lectures. This social space represents a multi-functional social gathering. Shade trees to the Southwest will provide space where college users and community members can erosion controls as well as afternoon relief from hot come together to share ideas and the space.

10 Adding a Social Space to the site will provide an outdoor area for students and instructors to mix with community members. This exchange works to build relationships and create belonging for community members, students and staff.

11 Conceptual Design Details

GREENHOUSE attached to a 15’ x 60’ poly tunnel or project represents an opportunity to a 30’ x 60’ passive solar greenhouse provide hands-on experience for In the short term, a small-unheated is recommended. This building students to help design and build hoop house is recommended for would integrate many functions for this structure. starting crops and season extension. the site as well as provide an area The hoop house will be a 20’ x 30’ that would be passively heated. This greenhouse constructed out of 1” structure would also function as a conduit hoops attached to stakes four season building that could be driven into the ground. Dimensional used year round and integrated into lumber will frame in the ends of the both fall and winter curriculum. This structure and provide lateral support kind of structure represents between the hoops. A 12mm sustainable, innovative, integrated interwoven poly is recommended to building design that would serve as cover the structure. The interwoven an educational and community poly has a longer lifespan, is better meeting space. Successful working suited to harsh weather (snow and models are operational in British hail) and acts as a partial shade cloth Columbia including David in direct sunlight. Thompson Secondary School Solar Greenhouse. For a long-term solution for a storage shed, processing area, teaching area As the College currently has a and greenhouse; a 15’ x 60’ shed residential building program this

12 In the future a Passive Solar Greenhouse can be added to align the growing season with the education season. The rear of the greenhouse can be used to store supplies and as a wash house to clean produce before distribution.

13 Conceptual Design Details

TOOL SHED COMPOST SYSTEM

For tool storage for the community farm and students, a Basic compost bins will be located next to the greenhouse, 10’ x 13’ shed is proposed. This shed should be modular this central location encourages all users to take part in the design, non-permanent structure that can be moved as the composting process. The compost bays will be made up of need arises. To start with, a shed building donated by BC large concrete Lock-Blocks and will be durable and long- Housing will be used for tool storage. In the future, a shed lasting. Ample access to and around the compost bins will that contains a door to accommodate wheelchair access allow for bulk deposits and machine mixing when and at least one window for natural light is recommended. necessary. It is also recommended that compost covers are One interior light and at least one 110 V plug should be used to manage moisture, heat and to deter pests. The present indoor and one outdoor. The shed roof can be used compost covers are specially designed black fabric covers to capture water in barrels for later use on the community that are durable and light, the covers can be used to either farm. Excess water will be directed into a main swale to allow moisture to enter the compost pile or the can easily help hydrate the landscape. be flipped over in order to shed moisture away from the pile.

14 The Community Farm space will be a natural, beautiful, space designed to create an atmosphere for learning and growing. This space includes winding paths, seating and shade trees to provide both productive function and positive experience for the users.

15 Conceptual Design Details

WICKING BEDS COMMUNITY FARM

Wicking beds are a great way to capture and store rain The Community Farm area will provide users with a space water to passively water raised beds in the Community to grow produce collectively and largely for donation. The Garden. Wicking beds are raised beds with a layer of pond Community Farm will fall under the Greater Vernon liner or 12mm poly in the bottom 2/3 of the bed. The bed Community Garden Network as another type of has a 2” PVC or ABS perforated pipe installed in the bottom community garden. The Regional District of the North of the bed. The pipe is covered with loose gravel or coarse Okanagan (Parks Recreation and Culture) supports sand up to 6-10” deep. A layer of landscape fabric is placed community gardens through policy in a number of ways over the gravel or sand and the raised bed is filled with soil. including helping to acquire land and establishing agreements with land owners. ! The soil will act as a wick and draw the water up from the bottom, reducing evaporation and frequency of watering. The day to day operations of the Community Farm will be Each bed is equipped with an overflow that can be attached managed under a lead agency who will participate with to the next bed to act as the water source. When connected several partner organizations to guide its development and in series these beds can distribute water efficiently to a large operations. The Community Farm will be inclusive and number of beds and reduce overall irrigation demands.

16 accessible to people of all abilities and as well as plots for larger-scale disturbances to harvest and cultivate. will focus on skill-building and production of annual vegetables. Keyline also seeks to improve soil recreation. The Community Farm depth, biological life and fertility. partner organizations intend to share The large plots will be laid out Although Keyline Design is resources and develop the capacity to equidistant from the first contour predominantly used in large-scale hire a coordinator for the site. This will swale, a system referred to as Keyline agriculture the principles still hold true allow programming, training, and Design. The garden beds will work to for this smaller scale design. volunteer management that will passively keep the water onsite and benefit all of the users and contribute slowly direct the water from the wetter to the sustainability of the farm and valleys out to the drier ridges. This demonstration garden. system of cropping allows for maximum water infiltration. Keyline The Community Farm area will utilize often utilizes no-till organic farming raised beds for accessibility and ease, methods, which use minimal

17 Conceptual Design Details

COLLEGE GARDEN PLOTS

Similar to the Community Farm Large Plots, the College Garden Plots will be laid out based on Keyline Design: equidistant from the contour swale. The College Garden Plots can be used for sustainable farming practicums, horticulture training, incubator plots for new farmers and research and development for new crops or agricultural methods. This area provides hands-on experience for students with an ideal growing climate and view overlooking Kalamalka Lake. The site is sure to become a popular destination for students and teachers to practice horticulture, viticulture, farming and gardening.

Keyline design is a technique developed in Australia in answer to dry, fire prone landscapes. This strategy encourages even water distribution for crops and helps to rebuild soil fertility.

18 INTENSIVE ORCHARD SYSTEM

This area will be used to practice intensive orchard planting as used by many large commercial growers in the Okanagan. Students will gain valuable, industry relevant skills that will help them to obtain jobs on commercial orchards. The hands on learning will create more demand for the students receiving the training and reduce training costs of growers.

Skills gained by students will be: • Propagating • Planting • Pruning/Tree Care • Organic Fertilizing • Integrated Pest Management • Harvesting

Okanagan College will benefit from large amounts of fruit being grown on a small piece of land which can be consumed on campus, sold to cover costs of maintaining the farm or donated to local non-profit groups.

19 Conceptual Design Details

FOOD FOREST Productive species are chosen (fruit, nut plants are perfectly adapted to this or forestry trees) and are interplanted environment and require very little A food forest represents a long-term, with support species to provide for all supplemental watering so they are diverse, self-fertile food solution for both the needs of the productive species perfectly placed further away from the residential and commercial agriculture. (nitrogen fixation, nutrient main gardens and they will receive Food forests are a mix of traditional accumulation, pest deterrent, beneficial enough runoff from storm water to North American agricultural system that insect attractor and mulch plants). sustain themselves once established. incorporates both perennial and annual food, fuel, fibre and fodder crops into This food forest will be located down The Native Plant Garden can be used by one system. slope on the southeast section of the instructors to explore the beneficial site. The food forest’s location was qualities of these plants. Workshops can Food forests are based on the natural chosen so it does not compete for light be held on topics such as: architecture of the forest (trees, shrubs, with surrounding crops. It requires less • Wildcrafting herbs, vines, ground covers and root attention so it is best placed furthest • Herbology crops) to create an agriculture based on away, planted along a natural drainage • Xeriscaping/Native Plant natural forest ecosystems. so the trees will receive supplemental Garden Design natural watering. It will also create a • Efficient Irrigation Systems Food forests play with different stages of noise buffer from the road. natural ecological succession and choose Students, teachers and community appropriate species to create productive NATIVE PLANT GARDEN members can meander their way food growing systems based on existing through the garden to view this buffet of environmental conditions (light, water, The Okanagan is host to many beautiful, local food and medicine. Rock benches aspect, soil type and topography). beneficial plants that have been used by will be placed strategically to allow a Indigenous tribes for centuries. These place for rest, observation or contemplation.

20 APIARY

The apiary will be located at the southern point of the site, near the food forest and discovery area. The apiary will provide valuable pollination to all species onsite. The apiary will also allow an area for users to learn about bee keeping, harvesting honey and the essential services bees provide to our natural environment. The apiary will be located amongst trees, shrubs and water to provide a comfortable environment for the colony.

Food forest species are selected for the role they play, this includes a mix of both productive species(fruit, nut and berry crops) as well as support species(nitrogen fixation, mulch plants and mineral accumulation).

21 Implementation Plan

In Permaculture, all developments Irrigation has been broken up into Phase 3 includes the College Farm are designed and built according to each component of the system. The Sites, which can remain fallow, the the principles of: individual irrigation lines can be Food Forest and other • Water added as the development proceeds Demonstration areas. These areas • Access but the initial irrigation rough-ins can be added as time, money, • Structures and distribution boxes should be resources and labour becomes installed at this time to utilize the available. The Food Forest The first step in development will be equipment onsite. represents a long-term commitment to have the area fenced to keep out and will not start to produce for wildlife. Once the fence and Phase 2 includes the Greenhouse, many years so the sooner it is appropriate gates are installed to Compost Site and Community Farm installed the sooner it can be used as allow machine access, the paths and which represents working from the an active demonstration site. The swales should be installed to address top down to establish infrastructure. other demonstration areas including storm water runoff as well as access The Greenhouse and Compost Site the Butterfly Garden, Native Plant to all of the areas of the will allow gardening operations to Area and Rain Gardens can be Demonstration Gardens (Phase 1). commence. The Community Farm added to the system as resources The access ways will frame the can be installed as community and budget allows. various sites and it will be to the partners, funds and time become discretion of the College and their available. partners as to what areas are developed next.

22 $0 $5,000.00 $10,000.00 $15,000.00 $20,000.00

Phase 1 - Paths & Swales $20,000.00

Phase 2 - Greenhouse/Compost/Community Farm $16,160.00

Phase 3 - College Plots/Food Forest/Other $16,211.20

Phase 4 - Outdoor Classroom $18,500.00

Finally, the Outdoor Classroom and Social Space can be portions of this space such as the Outdoor Classroom may completed as a final defining space that will signify the site proceed earlier as materials (rocks and cover crop) are is open to the greater community for interaction. This space already available. will require a few higher budget items so they will require more fundraising efforts and may take longer. Certain

23 Budget

The overall budget has been broken down based on each demonstration area and each component includes rough estimates for structural materials, labour, machine time, Paths & Swales Greenhouse organic materials and irrigation. This estimate 28% does not consider the costs of individual crop 10% costs and maintenance costs, simply Compost Area implementation costs. Also, donation of 4% materials and labour have not been considered in this estimate. The overall budget is Butterﬂy Garden estimated at approximately $71,000.00 with 1% major contributions going towards site infrastructure costs. Food Forest 15% Outdoor Classroom 26%

Community Garden 9%College Test Sites 7%

24 Summary

This development is part of a greater movement to maintain strong local economies, especially in the development of sustainable food systems. The hands-on experience gained from this site by both students and community members will contribute to a sustainable, resilient local community. This site will also help to maintain the rich agricultural heritage the Okanagan Valley is known for.

Students will be drawn to this education center for the chance to experience the innovation and sustainability of this cutting edge site.

The Okanagan College Demonstration Garden Project has the opportunity to create a vibrant, shared space between teachers, students, businesses, non-profits, local government and community members. The site will focus on best practices in agriculture and related technology to foster a sustainable future for the abundant Okanagan Valley.

25 Written and prepared by: