By Patti Nagai
and Dan Taivalkoski | Posted: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 12:00 am
After establishing a community garden, The Garden of Eatin' - A Vegetation Celebration on Racine's north side in 2000, the UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, along with several community partners who operated the garden, were forced from that site in July of 2007 due to possible soil contamination from a neighboring property.
As a result, a new community garden, The Garden of Giving, was established in July of 2008 on land donated by Lakeside Curative Services at 2503 Lincolnwood Court on Racine's south side. The new location promises to be a great asset to the Racine community for years to come.
Producing food for families in need and providing community education on proper gardening practices have been the dual goals of the program since inception.
Once again, we are fortunate to have involved cooperative partners in the Racine County UW-Extension, the Master Gardener Volunteers, Lakeside Curative Services and the Racine County Food Bank as well as volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life. The focus of this site is food production for families in need. Last year, even with the late start, more than 5,000 pounds of fresh produce was grown using organic methods, harvested by the MGVs and distributed by the Racine County Food Bank to families in Racine County. This year, with an earlier start and expanded garden space, we expect that total to grow significantly.
To assist with that growth, the Youth Volunteer Corps of America through the Volunteer Center of Racine County will be hosting a free summer camp on Aug. 3-7 for Racine County youth, ages 11-18, at Lakeside Curative Services. As part of that camp, our youth will assist the MGVs in the Garden of Giving with watering, weeding and possibly harvesting during that week. For more information, contact the Volunteer Center at (262) 886-9612.
Planning for an additional teaching and demonstration site adjacent to the Racine County Food Bank by the same group of partners is currently under way. We envision that site as a model educational center for teaching environmentally sound horticultural practices for both the urban and suburban residents of Racine County, including families and individuals making the transition out of shelter.
A permanent outdoor teaching structure, along with several demonstration sites for raised bed construction methods, composting methods, storm water management and a rain garden demonstration, will increase the amount of food production while educating residents on making sound decisions about their own yard and garden care. In addition, growth in our youth gardening program will lead the way to healthier, volunteer-minded
young citizens.
The community gardens have provided thousands of families with food and have provided thousands of people with the opportunity to garden and learn about proper gardening practices during the last 9 years. None of this would have been possible without our many partners, donors, and volunteers - this community garden effort has been an outstanding example of a community coming together.
If you are interested in volunteering at "The Garden of Giving," MGVs will be on site on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. All you need to do us show up. To schedule larger groups, contact the Racine County Food Bank at (262) 632-2307 or e-mail:
The Food Bank always welcomes donations of fresh produce from your garden. We are located at 2000 DeKoven Ave. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,but it is always best to call ahead.
Patti Nagai is horticulture educator at Racine County UW-Extension. Dan Taivalkoski is executive director of the Racine County Food Bank.