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Welcome Back: Victoria Seedy Sunday Returns with a Splash!
After a triumphant return following a three-year hiatus, Victoria Seedy Sunday made waves in our city on February 25, 2024. Revitalizing a cherished tradition dating back to 1994, this event reemerged thanks to the dedication of passionate members of the Urban Food Table. What began as a simple conversation in February 2023 blossomed into a vibrant reality, reuniting Greater Victoria's community with this beloved occasion.
A Rejuvenated Tradition
Originally organized by the James Bay Market Society since 2000, Victoria Seedy Saturday quickly became a cornerstone event, eventually outgrowing its humble origins at the James Bay Community Centre and finding a grander stage at the Victoria Conference Centre. However, the last in-person Seedy event in February 2020 marked the end of an era, leaving a void eagerly filled by the determined efforts of the Urban Food Table and its partners.
Seeding Success Through Collaboration
Fuelled by passion and purpose, a dedicated subcommittee emerged within the Urban Food Table, joining forces with the Compost Education Centre to spearhead the revival. With funding secured from diverse sources, including contributions from the UFT, grants like the My Great Neighbourhood Grant, and support from sponsors such as the James Bay Market Society, Victoria Horticultural Society, Wildwood Nursery, and Lifestyle Markets, the groundwork was laid for an unforgettable comeback.
Embracing Change: Venue and Vision
While past iterations graced the spacious halls of the Victoria Conference Centre, this year's event, conceived and executed by a fresh team of coordinators, found its home at the Quadra Village Community Centre and Neighbourhood Gym. Despite financial constraints, this more intimate venue provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with camaraderie, learning, and celebration.
Weathering the Storm: Community Resilience
As rain cascaded down, threatening to dampen spirits, attendees stood resolute, forming a line that snaked outside the venue. Undeterred by the elements, nearly a thousand passionate growers and enthusiasts flooded into the Quadra Village Community Gym, turning adversity into opportunity. Amidst the bustling crowds, conversations flowed freely, and vendors marveled at the bustling energy of one of the busiest Seedy events of the year.
A Garden of Inspiration: Cultivating Community
From seasoned gardeners to first-time enthusiasts, Victoria Seedy Sunday welcomed individuals of all skill levels, united in their quest for seeds and knowledge. Attendees reveled in the abundance of workshops and resources, each session brimming with eager participants soaking up insights and inspiration.
Join the Movement: Planting Seeds of Change
Victoria Seedy Sunday isn't just an event; it's a testament to the resilience and passion of our community. As we reflect on the success of this year's gathering, let us carry forward the spirit of growth, connection, and sustainability, nurturing not just our gardens but the bonds that bind us together as stewards of the earth.
Join us next year as we continue to sow the seeds of a brighter, greener future!
Workshop Series
Two speakers and a panel discussion were offered in the Quadra Village Community Centre, across the street from the Gym. Our gracious speakers included Solara Goldwyn of Hatchet and Seed and Fiona Hamersley Chambers from Metchosin Farm. The panel discussion included Sarah Jim and Kyle Clarke of PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation, and Cenit Muñoz of Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre.
Speaker Bio: Solara Goldwynn, Hatchet & Seed
Solara Goldwynn is the co-owner of Hatchet & Seed, an edible landscaping business that has been operating on Southern Vancouver Island since 2010. For over a decade she's been growing food gardens in a diversity of locations as well as teaching others to grow their own food. Since 2021, she's been working with Royal Roads University as their Food Systems Manager, helping to design and manage their new Farm project.
Speaker Bio: Fiona Hamersley Chambers, Metchosin Farm
Fiona Hamersley Chambers is an ethnobotanist with 20+ years of experience as an organic farmer, seed grower/breeder and food security educator. She is the owner/operator at Metchosin Farm, growing 260+ seed varieties and creating new ‘Metchosin Farm Original’ plant varieties – the heirlooms of the future! Author of numerous field guides such as Wild Berries of BC and co-author of Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada, she is passionate about plants and how we can steward them.
Speaker Bio: Sarah Jim, PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation
Sarah Jim is a visual artist of mixed ancestry and is a proud member of the W̱SÁNEĆ nation from the Tseycum village. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Victoria and practices environmental restoration on her ancestral territory with the PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation and W̱S͸ḴEM Ivy Project. Creating place-based artwork of her homelands and waters allows her to explore the importance of native plant food systems, coastal medicines, and traditional practices in relation to the ecosystem and W̱SÁNEĆ culture. Her creations reflect and advocate for the beautiful land, sea, and skies that the W̱SÁNEĆ have stewarded since time immemorial.
Speaker Bio: Kyle Clarke, PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation
Kyle, who is of Ukrainian, Irish, and Métis ancestry, grew up on the W̱SÁNEĆ homelands. At the University of Victoria, Kyle majored in both Biology and Environmental Studies. He utilizes his skills and knowledge of science and the local environment to promote ecosystem restoration, protection, and stewardship through education and active management as a way to heal the places that shaped his adoration for the natural world. When Kyle isn’t teaching students about native flora and conserving biodiversity, you can find him tending to native plant propagations and food security gardens, restoring native ecosystems, or helping facilitate Eco-Youth Camps.
Speaker Bio: Cenit Muñoz, Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre
Cenit Muñoz has been working for more than 4 years as the manager of the welcome gardens program, at Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Center Society. She is promoting access to free gardening resources through collaborations, food literacy and engagement opportunities for Black, People of Colour, Indigenous, Immigrants and Refugees in Greater Victoria.
Volunteer Impact
Victoria Seedy Sunday could not have succeeded in such a huge way without the passion and dedication of 84 incredible volunteers. From the meticulous planning stages to the bustling day-of activities, their tireless efforts ensured every aspect of the event bloomed with success. They lent their hands to setting up stalls, guiding vendors and attendees with precision, and sharing their unique plant wisdom. Their unseen yet indispensable work, from packing seed donations to orchestrating smooth transitions, formed the roots of this flourishing gathering. Through their collective spirit and unwavering commitment, Seedy Sunday became not just an event, but a testament to the power of community in nurturing a greener world.
A huge thank you to all volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Community Testimonies
Vendor Testimonies
