Group starts Community Garden
Susan Brinkman, Special to the Gazette
Friday, February 13, 2009
The American Community Garden Association estimates there are 18,000 community gardens in the United States. Make that 18,001.
The Emporia Local Foods Group met Thursday to lay the groundwork for Emporia’s first community garden.
“Many people in our community are interested in gardening but simply don’t have the space or they’ve not done any growing,” said Ben Stallings, a member of the newly formed group. “(They) just want the support and knowledge that comes from being part of a community project.”
The Flint Hills Technical College has donated land at 3301 W. 18th Ave. for the project, according to Bill Hanlon, organizer and director of the Center for Sustainability at the college.
The project is an extension of the Emporia Local Foods Group, a group of community members dedicated to bringing more local, fresh, and organic foods to area consumers, Hanlon said.
Garden plots will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, Hanlon said. There will be space for approximately 40 growers. Participants can choose from 4-foot by 8-foot to 10-foot by 20-foot garden plots with custom sizes available upon request. Families, community groups or individuals may choose to plant a variety of flowers, fruits, vegetables or grains. To help offset the costs of ground preparation, each group or individual will pay a one-time $10 reservation fee.
“Tilling, cultivating, and general garden tools will be available to participants,” Hanlon said. Growers can expect a nominal monthly water fee of about $2 per plot. Water rates have not yet been set by the board, but Hanlon said he does not expect the cost to be prohibitive.
Prior gardening experience is not necessary to receive a garden plot. The organizers emphasize, however, that each group or individual will be responsible for the care and maintenance of assigned plots. Hanlon anticipates several workshops and informal meetings designed to assist participants. Growers will receive information on everything from planting and weeding to harvesting a crop. The group even has plans for classes on freezing, canning and preserving the harvest.
Although there will be very few rules about planting a plot, Hanlon emphasized that gardeners will not be allowed to use chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Although the land will not be certified organic, the group is committed to keeping the area chemical-free. Again, organizers plan to assist garden members with resources for natural pest control, composting and natural fertilizers.
Tracey Graham, director of the Emporia Farmer’s Market, said she was excited about the community garden. She said she anticipated that participants will not only learn more about local food production but could be future vendors for the market.
“I can easily see a local group of Scouts or 4-H’ers taking advantage of the space,” Graham said, “raising vegetables and flowers for selling at the market. It not only teaches us about agriculture and local foods but also about business models.”
Hanlon has big expectations for the garden.
“If it works well, it would be good to see several other gardens interspersed throughout the town in different neighborhoods,” Hanlon said. “And spending time in the garden on a beautiful summer evening with like-minded neighbors is an inexpensive and highly rewarding social activity.”
Hanlon added that participants, especially those new to the idea of a community garden, will come away from the experience with many unexpected benefits.
“Not only do you learn about growing your own food, you learn about eating seasonally, and you learn from the collective experience of the group,” he said.
Garden space can be reserved by calling Hanlon at 343-4600 or by e-mailing him at whanlon@fhtc.edu. The Emporia Community Garden Project and the Emporia Local Foods Group can be found on the Internet at http://groups.google.com/group/emporia-area-local-food-network.
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