We are SSOCC’s volunteer board of directors and garden stewards.

I’m passionate about being a part of the work to build up Manitoba’s regionaI food system. Not only is the food we grow nutritious, but it brings communities together. Our garden spaces provide respite, shelter, education, and love. Yes, love. We love our spaces and they show us love in return. This is part of the reason why I am celebrating my sixth year on the SSOCC board, and my first year as President. I have a BSc. in Human Nutrition and I’m currently working on a Master of Public Health with a focus on socio-ecological systems, sustainability and health. Come as you are, there is a place for everyone at the gardens.

After moving to Winnipeg in 2016, Ralf has been looking for ways to get involved in local communities and organizations. One summer of volunteering at the orchard is all it took to get him hooked! As a member-at-large he hopes to use his passions for cooking, building, and gardening to help out wherever he can and leave a positive impact on the South Osborne community. In his free time he enjoys bouldering, cider-making, and playing Magic: The Gathering.

As a farm kid who moved to the city, I found a community in Sustainable South Osborne - meeting with like-minded individuals interested in growing food and learning new things that I can take back to my own garden. I previously served as a board member from 2018-2020 and have volunteered in their garden clubs over the past several years.

I am Barbara Ediger – past President of SSOCC and the garden steward of the River Garden. It feels like I have been gardening my entire life and yet it also feels like I have so much more to learn about gardening. I can honestly say, that I have learned something from every gardener I have ever met.

My passion for gardening stems from a commitment to sustainability and connection with nature. As a new board member, I am enthusiastic about collaborating with others in shared spaces, eager to learn from their experiences and contribute to a community-centred approach to food production. I look forward to continuing this journey through the simple yet powerful act of growing food together!

I’ve been an urban dweller all my life, however I’ve always had a connection with nature. I believe they need not be opposites. I dream of lush cities embedded in nature where caring for land and life is the norm, and where there is food and shelter for people and all kinds of earthlings. To me, SOOC is a glimmer of that dream. I arrived in Winnipeg in 2022 and began volunteering at Sunset Garden (previously known as Lord Robert’s) in 2023. Where we are currently experimenting with collective self-organizing. As a new board member, I look forward to being of service and further contributing to nourishing, feeding and eating in Winnipeg in a regenerative, caring and just way.

I am a member at large on our Board of Directors. I served as VP of Programming from 2009 – 2023 and played a major part in the planning, development, and care of all the SSOCC sites. I have stepped aside to encourage others to take up some of the duties that I fulfilled over these many years. At my age, I have less stamina and energy to bring to the care of our spaces. But I have an intimate knowledge of them and still have lots of ideas of how we can assist nature to make them continue to develop and thrive. I would be delighted to answer any questions or offer advice.

Growing up on a small 80 acre farm just North of Winnipeg Beach inspired a mindset of community and sustainable living. My passion for the environment, art, exploration and health led me to pursue a biology degree from the University of Manitoba from which I will graduate Fall 2023. I began volunteering with SSOCC in 2021, excited to find like-minded people and an escape from the business of the city.