Congregational / community graden

[Ken Pell]

I'm gonna think and process via this thread if you don't mind. I am looking for input and ideas to see if this is feasible.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/grumpyoldman0618/redbar3.gif

Many communities have what is called a "community garden" (http://www.communitygarden.org/). I have never participated but I have always felt it was a good idea.

With the recent economic crunch that I see happening in our community and congregation I thought this *might* be a decent step to providing some relief as well as building community, etc.

Our parish has plenty of open land (8 acres -- some of which is wooded but we would not need near that much).

Questions:
> Have you ever heard of a congregation sponsoring a community garden?
> Is this a good idea?
> I have no clue what is involved but I am certain there would be interest.
> The idea of people working together on the church property to supply for their needs and for the needs of others excites me. The idea of boxes of fresh produce setting in the foyer throughout harvest with signs saying "help yourself" excites me too.


Any ideas / input?

This thought is just a few minutes old so its still formulating and may prove to be more gas than a thought ... but I don't think so.

Also, we have not reached peak "planting season" yet here in the north country so, in some form or fashion, this could materialize even this May.

:gen08:gen08

Thanks in advance for any input. :thanks)

[Ryan Scott]

I don't know if they have it on their website, but Shepherd Community in Indianapolis has partnered with some congregations in a similar situation with open land, to cultivate a community garden, which then supplies cheap vegetables to the people in Shepherd's low income community.

[Teresa Baker]

I think that it sounds like a great idea. But I don't know anything about gardening, I have no idea how much work would be involved or if anyone in your congregation would put in the work. So I can't offer much thoughts on that.
At my church most a lot of people have their own gardens and grow more than enough for their families so they bring the extras to church to share. We always have plenty of fresh veggies to go around! We currently have a food pantry at our church with non-perishables, it would be neat in the summer to have fresh veggies. But we barely get enough people to volunteer to cut the grass, I don't see many signing up to garden. But it would be a great ministry if we could. We certainly have the land.
There may be organizations in your community such as homes for troubled teens or teen mothers that would be grateful for fresh veggies from your church. I say it sounds like a great ministry idea! I hope you are able to do something with it.

[Susan Unger]

I'm gonna think and process via this thread if you don't mind. I am looking for input and ideas to see if this is feasible.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q222/grumpyoldman0618/redbar3.gif

Many communities have what is called a "community garden" (http://www.communitygarden.org/). I have never participated but I have always felt it was a good idea.

With the recent economic crunch that I see happening in our community and congregation I thought this *might* be a decent step to providing some relief as well as building community, etc.

Our parish has plenty of open land (8 acres -- some of which is wooded but we would not need near that much).

Questions:
> Have you ever heard of a congregation sponsoring a community garden?
> Is this a good idea?
> I have no clue what is involved but I am certain there would be interest.
> The idea of people working together on the church property to supply for their needs and for the needs of others excites me. The idea of boxes of fresh produce setting in the foyer throughout harvest with signs saying "help yourself" excites me too.


Any ideas / input?

This thought is just a few minutes old so its still formulating and may prove to be more gas than a thought ... but I don't think so.

Also, we have not reached peak "planting season" yet here in the north country so, in some form or fashion, this could materialize even this May.

:gen08:gen08

Thanks in advance for any input. :thanks)

I like the community aspect of it.

[Sue Pyles]

I love the idea, but I am sure not a gardener.
I would imagine it would take alot of commitment.
Hopefully the community would work at it ,and it wouldn't be left up to a few to endure the labor after the newness wears off.

[Linda Schroller]

We have been part of a community garden for several years now. Our town provides the land and water.

We enjoy it very much, as it gives us a chance to meet and witness to a variety of folks.

We do have some problems, however. Too many expect to harvest the community section without helping with the work.

And those not part of the garden group feel free to steal our produce.

[Ryan Scott]

I volunteer at a youth center, which has used this past semester to study gardening and nutrition, culminating in a final project of planting their own garden. There is a local community garden organization which came and tilled the plot of land and is providing some guidance in the process. Perhaps you should check to see if there is something similar in your area?

[Christa Woodward]

I love this idea! We started a vegetable garden in our backyard this year with our kids, but extending it to the community would be lots of fun! If it were me, I would definately extend it beyond your parish to your community (I don't like it when things become too in-grown)...a great way to be missional...Love it! christa

[David Pettigrew]

This is a great idea. We have the land for it as well, but we're past time to plant down here.

I'm very much considering proposing a farmer's market this summer in our church parking lot. We are in a very good location for such a ministry, and no other group is doing anything like it. We would charge local growers and producers something like $10.00 to set up in a parking space on a Saturday. The proceeds would go for our soup and soap ministry. Anyway, maybe you could combine something like this with your idea.

Encouraging the producing and consuming of locally produced food is a winner for the environment, your local economy, and your health. Add a ministry element to this, and I can't think of a better use for church property.

[Ryan Scott]

I heard a guy on the radio who has a non-profit that encourages and helps people plant gardens in their front yard to promote community. He said, when you spend your gardening time in the back-yard, behind a fence, you don't have as much time to be a part of your neighborhood. The idea is that if people spend time in the front yard, with no fences, they will get to know people and the goings on of the community.

[Kevin Rector]

That's an idea that's dear to my heart. Our church recently bought land for a new building and we are several years away from building (unless we get an unexpected windfall). So I thought it would be a good idea to allow that land to be used for a community garden. I don't think it will happen this year, but perhaps next because there are a lot of things to consider.

When we do build a building we will be required to have a 50 foot setback from the interstate on which --nothing-- can be built. But we could still cultivate that land, so the garden could still exist after the building goes up.

[Ken Pell]

I thought I'd give you an update on the Community Garden we are starting. Some of you have interests in this and will find it encouraging.

It has begun to take on a life of its own and is more successful than I imaged it would be. Since we got the idea too late this year to plant we have been preparing for next year. ... I say "we" but I personally have stepped out of the picture except to be one of the future gardeners.

So far this is what is taking place.

1. We are building large beds and manure/hay/compost is being brought in from dairy farms (and other farms) in early September.
2. We are organizing a CSEA (not sure what all that is about, even though they have explained it to me -- it's their baby now so I am thrilled).
3. We are organizing a workshop (maybe 2) this winter where locals can come for an on-site workshop on planting, harvesting and canning / storage.
4. We are looking at building a small structure so that we can either sell excess produce (it will help underwrite our compassionate ministry) or give it away.

This is really striking a nerve with a significant segment of the parish that has, here-to-fore, been rather silent and disengaged. I am very encouraged by the potential that this ministry is showing. I am also surprised at the expertise for this that was laying dormant in the congregation.
> One has organized other CSEAs in New England
> Another has a background as a disease forecaster and was a regular contributor in a New England Vegetable growers newsletter.
> Another teaches agri-business at a local university
> Another runs a "green trust" website and business that promotes organic agri-habits and renewable energy production in the North Country.

[Cindi Hammons]

Also, less grass to cut, and less water waste. Interesting idea. It reminds me of an English Cottage flower garden...only with veg. Actually, it would be pretty easy to combine the two for beauty and practicality.

[Jim Franklin]

I may propose doing this for our church at our next board meeting to see if some interest can be stirred up. One of our parishioners is always running across good deals on fruit and vegetables and brings them to church to share.

Maybe it is time to repeat a true story about what actually happened some years back here in Boise.

A couple from LA was visiting some long time friends who had moved to a town near Boise. The ladies drove into Boise's Mall and when they got out of the car the local lady started to walk directly to the mall and her LA friend said, "Aren't you going to lock the car?" and the driver said "No, this is Boise, it will be alright." Later they drove to the center of the city and again the car was not locked with the same reason given. Then on Sunday they drove to their church and as soon as they exited car the local couple quickly locked up the car at which the LA couple said, "You go into the largest city in your state and do not lock your car but when you go to church in this little town you lock your car." To which the local couple replied, "If we don't it will be full of zuchenni when we get back."

I would not recommend not locking one's car in Boise these days.

[Susan Unger]

I may propose doing this for our church at our next board meeting to see if some interest can be stirred up. One of our parishioners is always running across good deals on fruit and vegetables and brings them to church to share.

Maybe it is time to repeat a true story about what actually happened some years back here in Boise.

A couple from LA was visiting some long time friends who had moved to a town near Boise. The ladies drove into Boise's Mall and when they got out of the car the local lady started to walk directly to the mall and her LA friend said, "Aren't you going to lock the car?" and the driver said "No, this is Boise, it will be alright." Later they drove to the center of the city and again the car was not locked with the same reason given. Then on Sunday they drove to their church and as soon as they exited car the local couple quickly locked up the car at which the LA couple said, "You go into the largest city in your state and do not lock your car but when you go to church in this little town you lock your car." To which the local couple replied, "If we don't it will be full of zuchenni when we get back."

I would not recommend not locking one's car in Boise these days.

Hysterical!! :laughing It reminds me of one lady I know from my former church who loved to give out baseball sized zuchinnis every summer ad nauseum.

[Mark Strong]

Thank you for the updates on this. I would be very interested to see how something like this would work.

I have always had a very hard time with the idea of churches sitting on acres and acres of unused land with the thought that some day they might need it in the future. If the church really thinks they will need it in the future, at least put the land to good use in the meantime with something like this.

The community aspect of the garden is good. There are so many ways this could help the poor in the area as well as being a wonderful witness to the neighbors of the church. I also think it would be good as a ministry to the elderly in the congregation. I would guess that there would be a number of elderly people who used to love to garden but don't have the ability to any more. Perhaps with other people putting in most of the work some elderly people might be able to help in the garden as they are able.

[Meghan Schoonover]

I love the community-garden idea. I'm a gardener, though, so it has great appeal to me. I'll admit I worry about the not enough helpers too many harvesters aspect of it. Maybe something could be worked out at far as a check-in thing, or maybe the whole shebang could be donated to the food bank so then just people who are interested could show up to help? Not sure. I just know I spend an awful lot of time in my garden and I only live on a 1/4 acre!

Ken - CSA's (http://www.localharvest.org/csa/) are a great way to connect the community to the garden...people buy a "share" of the crop and then either go harvest it, pick it up, or have it delivered. It's becoming quite popular and a great way to get locally-grown, in-season veggies.

David - I love the idea of having a farmer's market in your parking lot...is there not one currently active in your community? Our town only has one once a year, but there are plenty of fruit stands and a true farmer's market in a nearby town. I love going!