The Farmers’ Market has, as a goal, to encourage fresh food production in northern Cape Breton. To that end, it is partnered with Cabot High School to create a student garden at the high school. The operators of our local South Harbour Farm, Claudia Gahlinger and Rejean Chamberland, will assist with the construction of the raised bed gardens providing hands-on mentoring of youth on all aspects of kitchen garden operation. Produce from the school garden will be sold by students at the Farmers’ Market.
The Market funds (up to) two student bursaries each year for graduating students at Cabot High School who have demonstrated an involvement in local food production, food processing, or the arts, and who are going on for further education.
We also provide summer employment for a local youth who works at the Farmers’ Market, tends the student garden during the summer months, helps with the maintenance of the Settlers’ Garden at the North Highlands Museum in Cape North, and works with Claudia and Rejean on local food production including the new orchard at the Bay St. Lawrence Community Centre.