Moose Jaw's first community gardens project, the Yara Community Gardens, was established in 2006. Hunger in Moose Jaw currently administers the project. The gardens allow for people from our diverse community, including seniors, youth and families, to rent a plot of land and grow their own pesticide-free, nutritious food. Many clubs, schools, and daycares take advantage of the "living classroom" made naturally at our gardens. In 2008, and again in 2010, our gardens expanded to allow for even more growing space. We currently have 125 individual garden plots throughout the city. The garden plots vary in size from 5'x8' to 20'x60'. The Yara Community Gardens not only provide the opportunity to grow healthy local food, but also allow for communal learning. Sharing gardening techniques, stories and meals brings community members together fostering friendships, food security and the conservation of age-old Saskatchewan gardening practices.

The Yara Community Gardens are a pesticide-free garden area that is open to all members of the community. For a minimal plot fee gardeners have full access to their plot in which to grow delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables. We strive to promote a healthy lifestyle, bridging cultural and generational gaps, as well as providing an area for outdoor education to occur.

Community capacity and sustainability are built through speakers presenting on new or in development rural and agricultural alternatives. The series of speakers aims to address the economic and social needs of rural communities, and improve the marketability and regional identity of the community. Sustainability for rural community and culture is fostered through information being conveyed on farming and production alternatives that can occur within the community instead of outside. Awareness is stimulated in a forum in which community members are able to come together to share and learn while stimulating economic growth and diversification of products that are local and uniquely branded. The Craik Sustainable Living Project has developed partnerships with other rural and agricultural organizations to develop more opportunities through the seminar series for rural areas sustaining the sense of culture and community that exists within rural areas.

Sustainable Communities Grants are awarded for projects that take place in Saskatchewan and work towards progress in the following target areas:
    * Climate Change - project reduces greenhouse gas emissions
    * Eco-tourism - project addresses ecosystem preservation through public education and provides economic opportunity through tourism in Saskatchewan
    * Green Agricultural Practices - project demonstrates or determines the feasibility of agricultural practices that minimize negative environmental impacts
    * Ecosystem Conservation - project conserves resources, preserves and maintains ecosystems at risk or rehabilitates degraded areas
    * Sustainable Development Awareness - project raises awareness of sustainable development through education activities, training, research, seminars or forums
    * Water Conservation and Source Water Protection - project takes action to ensure a safe and sustainable water supply
Costs that are not eligible include:
# Projects that have received previous funding from the Green Initiatives Fund
# Projects that require on-going funding from the province beyond two calendar years
# On-going administration (office costs) and established operational budgets; Sustainable Communities Grant money cannot be used to provide on-going operational funding
# Infrastructure, including landfills, roads, water/wastewater and buildings used for residential or commercial purposes
# Equipment, including but not limited to vehicles, heating and cooling equipment
# Land
# Research projects
# Biofuels projects
# Projects that include debt financing or cost recovery purposes
# Initiatives that need to be undertaken as a result of a government order, such as investigations and remediation
Saskatchewan youth groups, community associations, non-profit organizations, local governments including First Nation communities, educational institutions and municipal corporations are eligible to submit project proposals. Individuals or groups not included in the above list may submit a joint application with an eligible applicant. Funding is available to a maximum of $100,000.

Green technologies are defined as those technologies which, through their adoption, adaptation or development, help develop or produce goods and services providing either a remedial or preventative benefit to the natural environment.
Eligible technologies could include, but are not limited to the following examples:
    * Water purification and management - water pollution prevention and treatment technologies; water recycling and ultra-filtration systems; remote sensor and automation (e.g. wastewater treatment and management technology)
    * Development of best practices - in all aspects of environmental management, which may include the adaptation, novel or innovative use of existing technology (e.g. phyto-remediation)
    * Bio-product innovation - value added options in expanding markets for bio-materials, bio-industrial chemicals, bio-processing or bio-remediation
    * Agriculture - farm efficiency technologies; water conserving irrigation systems; bioremediation and soil treatment; natural pesticides
    * Air Quality - air purification products and air filtration systems; energy efficient heating, ventilating and/or cooling (HVAC) systems; air pollution and monitoring equipment; emissions monitoring and sampling equipment; indoor air quality testing equipment; data logging and remote sensing
    * Enabling technologies - catalyst and membrane technology; distributed sensor networks technology
    * Environmental IT - software and systems for environmental management, GIS & GPS applications; record keeping; waste and hazardous materials management
    * Materials and nano-technology - biodegradable materials derived from seed proteins and crop residue; micro-fluidics technology for biochemical reactions; nano-materials; composite materials; environmentally friendly chemical products and sensor technology
    * Materials recovery and recycling - recycling technologies; waste treatment; internet based systems for materials trading and management; hazardous waste remediation; bio-mimetics for advanced metals separation and extraction; composting technologies
    * Manufacturing and industrial - advanced packaging; natural or green chemistry; environmentally friendly construction materials; business process and data flow mapping tools; precision and lean manufacturing process instruments and fault detection; chemical management technology and service
    * Transportation and logistics - lighter materials technology for transportation vehicles; advanced pavements and road surfaces; smart logistics software and processes (e.g. the Ross Industrial Park project)
Projects that cannot be funded include:
    * Projects that previously have received funding from the Green Initiatives Fund.
    * Projects that require on-going funding from the province beyond two calendar years.
    * Initiatives that need to be undertaken as a result of a government order, such as investigations and remediation.
    * Projects that are NOT distinct from applicant's standard operations. Green Initiatives Fund money CANNOT be used to provide on-going operational funding.
The following can apply:
    * New and existing small to medium sized businesses registered in Saskatchewan.
    * Partnerships between a business registered in Saskatchewan and non-business groups.
Groups such as non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, academic researchers and municipal groups may partner with a business in working towards commercialization of a product or service. However, these groups are not eligible to apply for funding without a committed business interest.
Projects with costs between $10,000 and $200,000 are eligible to receive funding up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $100,000. Projects with costs over $200,000 are eligible to receive funding up to 50% of the first $200,000 of eligible costs and 25% of eligible costs beyond that to a maximum of $250,000.