Directions in Gardening Eyre Peninsula (DiG EP) aims to promote community awareness of the healthy aspects of gardening and fresh produce in schools and the wider community on Eyre Peninsula.

The group plans to encourage practical gardening skills in the community, including home, schools and organisations.

Members are assessing sites suitable for establishing a community garden.

Such gardens can have benefits in the economy as people provide themselves with fresh vegetables, as well as mental and physical fitness, and community gardens can be a lot of fun according to committee member Nick Booth.

He said the group aimed to set up a larger scale community garden where people could garden, share ideas and produce and "rediscover from each other the lost art of gardening."

"Backyard gardening has taken a backwards step and we are hoping to provide practical advice and skills to encourage people to set up their gardens and get it going again."

DiG EP aims to cater for all levels of experience people have with gardening, and has also targeting schools to expose children to the healthy aspects of producing fresh produce.

He said it would also allow them to get a sense of satisfaction and wellbeing.

The group has already held workshops at the Poonindie Community Learning Centre, Lincoln Gardens Primary School and Ungarra Primary School School to help set up the school's gardens.

The group held its first annual general meeting (AGM) last Sunday and Anna Angus was elected as the chairperson, Jo Ormsby as secretary, Tabitha Wilkes as treasurer and other members of the community making up committee positions.

All members of the public are welcome to attend and have input into DiG EP meetings, which are held on the last Wednesday night of every month with more details to be in the Port Lincoln Times' Community Corner section for specific dates, times and venues.

For more information call Anna Angus on 8683 2077.