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Standing room only at Fernie book launch
Over 200 people packed the Fernie Heritage Library on Thursday (Oct. 16) to celebrate the launch of ‘Down to Earth: Cold-Climate Gardens and their Keepers.’
Following the success of their 2010 local gardening exhibit, Helen McAllister and Jennifer Heath felt compelled to complete a book on the subject. On Thursday they saw their hard work pay off.
The two authors were featured speakers at the event, sharing stories of their journey, inspiring the audience to plant seeds to create their own food security while at the same time helping to improve the environment.
McAllister and Heath found generous gardeners throughout the region who shared their knowledge and taught them simple ways to grow more productive and sustainable gardens. The resulting in Down to Earth is less of an instructional gardening book and more of “this is how we do it.” With many of the gardeners featured in the book present at the event, there was a real sense that the project was a community effort.
“We are so thrilled with the response to our book,” said McAllister. “To have so many of our garden keepers at our book launch, as well as fellow cold-climate gardeners, that are passionate about growing their own food was simply incredible. We hope we have inspired others to plant a few seeds and see what comes up.”
A as society we often are unaware of exactly where our food comes from and the effect it has on the environment. McAllister and Heath invited the audience to take control of their food security and reap the rewards harvesting your own food. Audience members were clearly inspired by the message from two friends and almost everyone left with a signed copy of the book, keen to put it to good use.
Down to Earth: Cold-Climate Gardens and their Keepers, with its stories from Elk Valley garden keepers, stunning photography, tips and recipes, is sure to help you meet the challenges of a cold climate garden and see the possibility and diversity it has to offer.
Lead photo: Helen McAllister and Jennifer Heath taking a break from signing books at their launch at the Fernie Heritage Library.
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