Hello Neighbors!
It's been a long time since I've updated this blog. I had a bit of volunteer fatigue...however I'm ready to get going on the long awaited neighborhood garden (to be located on the sunny South lawn of Calvary Church.)
Exciting news...we have secured a grant from EMSWCD in the amount of $2,000 to go toward the neighborhood garden! In addition to that, we have applied for another grant through SE Uplift and we plan to hear from them within the next month or so.
In the meantime, here's some text from the SE Uplift grant application that should get you excited!
Project Summary:
We are creating this Neighborhood Garden to increase our community’s access to healthy, affordable food, while improving individual health and strengthening our neighborhood bonds. A community garden provides opportunities for inter-generational and cross-cultural connections. Our neighborhood is quite diverse and we’d like to celebrate that by having a space for all to come together. Our hope is that families from all cultures can have a space to grow traditional food that might not be available in the supermarket, and cross-pollinate with neighbors through food, gardening and all interests in between.
We love the idea that a garden, and a shared goal that benefits all, stimulates social interaction, which we have all lacked during the pandemic.
Goals & Anticipated Outcomes:
We anticipate the garden to attract community members that haven’t had access to an outdoor space to grow vegetables and fruits, folks that don't have a sunny space in their yard...and just anyone who wants to share the joy of gardening together.
The social organizational underpinnings of gardens give rise to a range of social processes, including social connections, reciprocity, mutual trust, collective decision-making, civic engagement and community building, all important processes associated with improving individual health and strengthening neighborhoods. Twiss et al., 2003; Armstrong, 2000; Cohen et al., 2006; Landman, 1993).
Benefits of Community Gardening (Information from American Community Garden Association)
- Improves the quality of life for people in the garden
- Provides a catalyst for neighborhood and community development
- Stimulates Social Interaction
- Encourages Self-Reliance
- Beautifies Neighborhoods
- Produces Nutritious Food
- Reduces Family Food Budgets
- Conserves Resources
- Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education
- Reduces Crime
- Preserves Green Space
- Reduces city heat from streets and parking lots
- Provides opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections
Timeline
We plan to begin in March or April and work through the Summer and be completely finished by December 2022.
Steps for Success:
- Remove 1,650 square feet of existing sod and dispose (rent sod-cutter)
- Level dirt
- Install local water meter on hose bib so that the church knows the amount of water being used solely for garden
- Install water/irrigation lines to plots
- Lay landscape fabric/burlap down to prevent weeds
- Lay wood chips over fabric/burlap
- Construct hog-wire style fence to protect garden from animals and vandals
(fence to be +/- 140 linear feet with at least 1 access gate and combination lock) - Raised garden bed materials (different heights for different abilities and ages)
- compost bin
- Soil for raised beds
- Irrigation for individual plots
- Small Lockable storage shed or trunk for shared tools (if possible with budget, partnership or donation)
- Signage: ‘Neighborhood Garden’ sign that describes project and lists partners (SE Uplift, EMWSCD, etc...). On the sign, there will be a link and/or email address so interested individuals can inquire about securing a plot and/or volunteering
I will soon be putting invites on your door with more info.
Please contact me to get involved (in any capacity).
Thanks and I'm so excited!
- Terah Beth (volunteer project coordinator)
