Why Local? Wednesday: Community Garden

 

Within a few miles of my house many community gardens are filling in the gaps between downtown building lots, next to church parking areas, adjacent to a nursing home's lawn, and in the space where neighbors once  had fences.  These are not large endeavors in terms of land use; most take up square feet rather than acres.  These are large endeavors in terms of the way they bring people together. {image source} 


My first community garden experience was actually at a school I used to work at.  They had a garden space and each class took care of their own plots.  We even ate the foods grown from the garden!


My other "first" experience was two years ago when my good friend took me to one at the end of the summer harvest season.  The group of folks who had been working over the last few months to make a difference in the food they eat and in the way they lived were gathering to celebrate the season and the harvest.  We ate a sampling of the many foods they had managed to grow in that church's side space including fresh figs off the tree.  oh my. I'm still dreaming two years on.  

{image source} The concept of the community garden seems to be coming back strong these days.  It's no wonder when you think of all the benefits! Among the benefits listed by the American Community Garden Association (ACGA) are beautifying neighborhoods, stimulating social interaction, reducing crime rates, conserving resources and creating income opportunities for  economic development.  


To me, the best benefit is in the name itself: community.  The community gardens I have seen give people who may differ in race, ethnicity, religion, and social class an opportunity to unite around a common goal.  Although the garden was kept on church property, the people working there were about as different as can be. The garden brought them together to form a community of individuals setting their differences aside for the good of the others.  

Brandon and I are at a point in life where keeping our own garden, or being heavily involved in another, is just not possible given our schedules.  However I hope that it is something that is in our future! I hope that is something our daughter can grow up with. I love to see all of the gardens popping up around the city and would like to be involved in one myself. {image source}


How about you?  Do you know of community gardens in your area? Are you involved in one?  If you want to learn more, check out the ACGA website for a list of resources including finding gardens in your area.


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