The Woodmore Women's Institute in the RM of Emerson-Franklin held a workshop Wednesday night to teach people the forgotten art of creating a sustainable garden.

Around 20 people attended the event this past Wednesday evening where seven local gardening sages, who virtually live off their gardens all year long, spoke to attendees about their tricks.

Janet Kroeker and Ang Appleby are on a food security committee through the institute. The committee's goal is to educate people on food independence in commercialized, industrialized food market.

"There's good reasons to have your garden minutes away from your dinner plate,” said Kroeker.

"It's very satisfying to know that [what you're eating] comes from your own garden. We've been lulled into thinking we don't need these skills anymore."

Another project offered through the institute this summer, will show young people the love of gardening. Appleby explains that, for many people, an interest in gardening is often tied to childhood memories of snacking on vegetables fresh from the soil.

"If we can get children gardening now, then it increases the chances they'll do it when they're older," Appleby said.

She added that if a child grows their own vegetables, they'll be more likely to want to eat those vegetables compared to pulling produce out of a tin.

Kroeker and Appleby hope people attending the gardening courses, children and adults, will learn how easy gardening can be and find like-minded enthusiasts to maintain a sustainable gardening lifestyle.