Garden of Eden earns Pansy couple provincial recognition

A Pansy couple, accompanied by friends, reaped a surprising harvest in early December, as they were honoured at the provincial legislature.

La Verendrye MLA Konrad Narth invited Mel Kachur to the legislature and congratulated him, his wife Helen and others for giving back thanks to a three-acre garden.

“The retired farming couple, who are now in their 70s, have made it their mission to fight hunger,” Narth said to his legislative colleagues, adding it takes a lot of work. “Mel and Helen make it look easy through their natural ability to successfully grow an abundance of produce while also managing the many volunteers needed.”

As the Kachur family looked on, Narth said the Garden of Eden has provided thousands of pounds of produce to organizations such as the Grunthal MCC, Steinbach Family Resource Centre, Soup’s On, South East Helping Hands and Agape House.

“The passion to help people has been lifelong for Mel and Helen, but the creation of (the) Garden of Eden began with a desire to help people affected by war in Ukraine,” Narth said. “The sale of produce grown allowed the couple to donate thousands of dollars to an orphanage in Ukraine while also supporting the refugee settlement of hundreds of Ukrainians into Manitoba.”

Mel, who’s wife Helen suffered a stroke and was unable to attend, said the event was “fantastic”.

“Everyone stood up and gave us a big welcome,” he said. “The premier gave us two thumbs up.”

But it wasn’t being honoured by politicians that inspired the Kachurs when they kicked off the Garden of Eden in 2023.

Instead, it was their goal of working with new immigrants and providing for those in need.

That desire, coupled with three acres of land at their disposal made the dream a reality.

The first year resulted in a bumper crop of produce and Mel said they quickly found there was enough demand to use it all.

This year they added about 500 feet of raised beds, which at four feet wide offered 2,000 square feet of easy-to-use gardening space.

“That gives us a lot of room to grow veggies for the food banks,” he said.

A soggy and cool spring this year set them back, but Mel said after planting some crops as many as three times, they prevailed.

And as word got out about what they were doing they found the need still exceeded whatever they can supply. Not only do they help organizations in the Southeast, but also help out food banks and soup kitchens in Winnipeg including Siloam Mission.

Support has also been increasing and Mel said they received donations of seed potatoes from places like Kroeker Farms in Winkler and Peavey Mart.

Corn came from Marc Hutlet Seeds of Dufresne, while vegetable seeds arrived from McKenzie Seeds in Brandon and T&T Seeds in Winnipeg.

Bedding plants came from greenhouses in Winkler and Steinbach, and fertilizer was donated by the local co-op.

“Everybody wants to help,” Mel said, adding that the mission of fighting hunger resonates with a lot of people and businesses.

While potatoes are their biggest harvest, the Garden of Eden represents just about every vegetable that can be found in any local garden.

With the large garden and an even bigger mission comes a lot of work.

Last summer about 10 families helped lend a hand.

For the Kachurs, this project was a perfect fit.

“I just loved horticulture, growing plants,” he said. “There was an increasing need for food banks. I had a three-acre parcel of land and didn’t know what to do with it.”

Mel said he hopes to make the operation “bigger and better” in 2025, saying every year they acquire more knowledge about how make things run smoother.

During the season volunteers are welcome, and financial donations are always gratefully accepted.

To learn more or to donate email melvinkachur9397@gmail.com or call Mel at 204-434-9397.