A number of area groups are coming together to make community gardening easier in Kalamazoo.
The project is called
Common Ground and it’s designed to promote gardening in neighborhoods and schools throughout the county.
Common Ground will be based in a new garden shed on Kalamazoo’s East Side built by volunteers and the Kalamazoo County Land Bank. Churches, neighborhood associations, and gardeners working on shared properties are among those encouraged to use the resources. Many of the projects are intended especially to make gardens more accessible to low-income residents.
Community funds have been made available to support grants and may ultimately cover the purchase land and the price of improving it. Grants of between $250 and $1,000 are available to help up to 20 individuals or organizations start or improve community garden projects this spring. The deadline
to apply is March 31.
Free classes will teach gardeners how to start a community garden, or once it’s started how to deal with bugs and weeds. Opportunities to learn how to save seeds, make a rich compost or rain barrels also will be offered.
The Community Garden Resource Shed is 216-square-foot building houses garden resources, such as shovels, tillers and wheelbarrows, available for Kalamazoo County residents involved in the tool-sharing program or beautification projects through the Land Bank. Those who volunteer their time can borrow garden resources. Garden plants and seeds will also soon be available at no cost.
Fair Food Matters has had a modest community gardening program in the past, says Paul Stermer, Executive Director of Fair Food Matters. This new, collaborative effort, however, combines its resources with three strong community partners -- the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, MSU Extension/Master Gardeners and the Kalamazoo Nature Center. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation also is a partner in the project.
"Community gardens," Stermer says, "can effectively deal with public health issues related to poor nutrition, while also revitalizing neighborhoods through shared activity."
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Paul Stermer, Fair Food Matters
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.