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Community Gardening
(by Alexandra Heath - September 11, 2007)
One of the foremost environmental writers, Wendell Berry, said, “We cannot be free if our food and its sources are controlled by someone else. The condition of the passive consumer of food is not a democratic condition. One reason to eat responsibly is to live free.”
Across the country, thousands of people have taken up the challenge of growing their own food and of knowing exactly where the food they eat comes from—either from their own backyard or a local grower. Farmers Markets are increasing in popularity as “first sources” of fresh food over offerings from the supermarket or “mega store.” But, what to do if you live in the city and have little or no room to grow a garden? The answer is: create a community garden.
Community gardening, however, requires community involvement. Would Oroville benefit from the development and implementation of a community garden? Without a doubt!
So, what is community gardening and how does it work? Usually, community gardens develop when a group of like-minded people decide to start a neighborhood garden with individual garden plots and shared garden management. Most are connected with a larger organization, such as a university, a church, or a municipal organization that provides support and resources. But, generally, the garden is supported by a mix of community help, fees for the garden plots, volunteer support and, possibly, grant funds from local government.
Finding land is, of course, the first consideration. Although there is considerable new construction in Oroville, there are still large plots of land in the downtown area that are unused. Some have been for sale for years and are overgrown with weeds and littered with trash. Urban beautification is a good adjunct result of creating a community garden.
Other benefits from a community garden include:
§ Building community morale
§ Providing educational opportunities
§ Learning new skills
§ Contributing to the community
§ Meeting people
§ Recreation and relaxation
§ Improving nutrition
§ Developing a relationship with “nature”
§ Saving money
§ Environmental restoration
Historically, community gardens have flourished during times of societal change. During WWII, more than 23 million households participated in subsistence gardening programs and grew produce worth an estimated $36 million. There are probably members of our community who remember the “victory gardens” of the 30s and 40s. Contemporary community gardens are frequently organized to include more types of programs, such as children’s gardens, job-training gardens, horticultural therapy gardens, demonstration gardens, and relief gardens. Some community gardens give back to the community by donating vegetables to soup kitchens or food lockers and flowers to nursing homes.
While growing vegetables and flowers seems pretty straightforward, community gardens do require some organization and program development. Some groups organize as non-profit organizations to take advantage of tax-deductible donations and grant funding, but even a simple association can work with the right mix of people.
And that is both the challenge and promise of community gardening. Not only does it connect people living in the city with the soil and plant and animal life, it helps create the civic mindedness that nurtures a community open space. It provides tangible evidence that allows participants to see the rewards of their labor, the experience the benefits of teamwork and cooperation, and to realize the importance of commitment and patience.
So, here’s the challenge, would you like to be involved in developing a community garden? If so, or if you have ideas and suggestions, let me know by e-mailing me at alexheath@hughes.net. With enough interest, a community meeting will be planned to bring together interested individuals to explore the possibility of creating Oroville’s own community garden. Let’s get growing!
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