Bruce Power recently donated $3,000 to the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens (BBFG) project in Ripley. The funds will enable the non-profit group to purchase a tiller and organic soil amendments for the otherwise tough, clay-based beds. Dwight Irwin, Communications Specialist at Bruce Power, left, recently presented the cheque to Heather Pletsch, grant researcher and community project facilitator, middle, and Lynne Taylor, BBFG President.

RIPLEY – September 10, 2012 – Bruce Power has provided $3,000 to the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens (BBFG) to build soil health at the Park Street, Ripley, site which is currently under construction.

BBFG’s programming will support sustainable agriculture, education, and hands-on activities for local adults and children, to re-establish connection to food production at a personal level.

“Bruce Power and our employees are dedicated to being active partners in our community,” said James Scongack, Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “We are proud to support programs that focus on health and safety, youth development, the environment and community engagement. We are therefore delighted to be able to sponsor the BBFG and assist with their efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture and locally grown produce in our community.”

The soil on the property in Ripley’s east end has supported cash crops for a number of years and the level of organic matter needs to be increased considerably to support healthy vegetable and fruit crops, said Lynne Taylor, President of the BBFG.

“The funds will enable us to purchase a tiller and organic soil amendments to be turned into the otherwise tough, clay-based beds. The production of healthy, strong, nutritious food is dependent on the health of the soil.

“Bruce Power’s support of this project will help ensure our success and help bring us towards sustainability. It will also enable us to move forward with future plans that otherwise may not be immediately possible. We are extremely thankful for Bruce Power’s belief in the project.”

Soil improvements on the property will start this fall.

The Bruce Botanical Food Gardens is a non-profit corporation. For more information on the project and volunteer opportunities, contact Lynne Taylor at ltaylor@bbfg.org or call 519-396-5719.

For further information, contact John Peevers at 519-361-6583 or john.peevers@brucepower.com.