A Fernie local was recently recognized as a garden hero by the Canadian Garden Council.
Mary Cosman, Elk Valley branch president for Wildsight, was named as a 2022 Year of the Garden Hero by the national organization.
Nominated by Dawn Deydey of Wildsight Elk Valley, she was recognized for her key role in many garden projects around Fernie.
In an Oct. 6 Facebook post from the Fernie EcoGarden about Cosman’s recognition, it says “She started the Fernie Cold Climate Seed Library, coordinates the Community EcoGarden, coordinates the volunteer gardening program, hosts annual Seed Swaps, grows food for the Garden2Market program that is sold at the farmers market and played a key role in the development of the Keeping Food Real education program. Her passion for local food and seeds is unparalleled.”
Cosman said she was surprised by the nomination, and said it’s always good to get recognition.
“It’s not expected certainly, and I’m still just out there doing what I love to do,” she said.
“I think the future of gardening and learning how to grow our own food in the Elk Valley is very promising and it’s certainly vital.”
She said the mandate of Wildsight Elk Valley is all about food security, and that they are promoting and helping anyone who wants to grow their own food to eat or sell, like their local producers.
“We’re just giving them as much support as we can, because we just feel that that’s very important, for people to produce and have available to buy food that’s very, very local.”
Cosman said that, after about four years in her role as Wildsight Elk Valley’s branch president, she will be stepping down at the next annual general meeting. She will still be in the role through the winter.
READ MORE: Wildsight challenges people not to mow their lawns this May for the bees
@fishynewswatch
josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.