ntámłqən Community Garden & Food Hub, Cawston
Located on the traditional lands of the Smelqmix (Similkameen) people in Cawston, the Ntamtqen Community Garden & Food Hub is a vibrant community-led agricultural project dedicated to food security, Indigenous food sovereignty, and reconnecting people with the land.
Situated on 7.5 acres of Lower Similkameen Indian Band community land, the garden and food hub brings together growers, volunteers, educators, and community members to cultivate healthy food and share traditional knowledge.
Originally part of a long-standing organic farming site in the Similkameen Valley, the land is now being revitalized as a place where culture, community, and sustainable agriculture come together. The project is driven by local leadership, including farmer and community advocate Dixon Terbasket, with support from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and regional partners.
Visitors and volunteers are welcome to experience hands-on learning opportunities, community gatherings, and seasonal farm activities. The garden hosts work parties, workshops, and training programs that focus on organic growing, seed saving, traditional food practices, and environmental stewardship.
As the project grows, plans include expanding food production, developing a native plant nursery, and completing infrastructure such as a workshop, learning centre, root cellar, and food processing facility that will support local food systems and community resilience.
More than a farm, Ntamtqen is a gathering place—its name reflects the idea of bringing people together to share knowledge, cultivate food, and strengthen connections across generations and communities.
