There will be no demonstration garden on 8th Avenue after the Groundbreakers Collective and the Bulkley Valley District Hospital agreed to withdraw their rezoning application for the lots.
The cooperative sought to use vacant Northern Health lands to grow a demonstration garden, but some area homeowners were vocal in their opposition to the development.
In a news release, the Groundbreakers Collective said that the decision came after the two heated public hearings on the rezoning proposal.
“Groundbreakers Collective has always been about building community and supporting local agriculture," said Emily Bulmer, a member of the Collective. "The demonstration garden on the 8th Avenue lots has turned into a divisive issue which is contrary to how we would like to build support for local food.
She added that they want to focus on projects that "leave us feeling energized, not drained."
The group describes themselves as a social enterprise with a mission to promote the production and consumption of local food at fair value by linking food consumers, producers and social service agencies to participate in agricultural activities and education in the area.
While the demonstration garden is still important to the group's vision, they say it will be put on hold until a new piece of land can be found, or the proposal can be reworked to fit on another piece of hospital land.
Meanwhile, the Collective said they are taking over the Princess Street Community Garden and will hold educational workshops at the location, together with the Ground to Griddle Community Kitchen, a part of the Smithers Community Services Association.
The Collective is turning their efforts now into a new Harvest Box program that will provide people with all locally produced foods.
Information on the Groundbreakers Collective can be found online at www.groundbreakerscollective.ca.