DoomsdaysCWA photo of the #CommunityGarden back in its heyday... Soon to return to its former glory!
Alrighty then. I found some nearby #CommunityGardens, and also some good materials from #UMaineCooperativeExtension , including guidelines!
I'm also going to suggest that the town money be used for these expenses...
- Electric Fence? (If needed)
- Soil Testing?
- Materials to build compost bins?
- Water tank?
- Water source for refilling tank (compensation)?
- Markers to mark out plots?
Guidelines for Community Gardens:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/4300e/
#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #GrowYourOwn #FoodSecurity
Bulletin #4300, Steps to Organizing Your Community Garden - Cooperative Extension Publications - University of Maine Cooperative Extension
A community garden is typically a piece of public land tended collectively by a group of people who are interested in growing fresh fruits and vegetables, creating community, and establishing a connection to the environment. This fact sheet in the Food for ME series includes suggestions on how to set up a community garden project, recruit volunteers, and establish a garden plot.
#Online - #CommunityGardens and #FoodSecurity in Maine
April 14 @ 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Cost: $0 - $15
"This webinar is hosted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Across Maine, community gardens are increasing food security by bringing people together to grow food for their communities. This panel will explore how collective garden spaces allow neighbors to work side by side to grow fresh, local food that is donated to food security organizations. Panelists will share real examples from across Maine and offer practical insights into how community gardens get started, build partnerships, and grow into lasting resources that strengthen local communities.
Speakers: Rachel Stamieszkin, Master Gardener Volunteer in Cumberland County, Johnny Sanchez, Collective Gardens Program Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator at #FoodAndMedicine (FAM), and Julia St. Clair, Agricultural Programs Manager at #BrunswickTopshamLandTrust."
To register:
https://www.mofga.org/event-calendar/community-gardens-and-food-security-in-maine/
#SolarPunkSunday #GrowYourOwnFood #GYO #UMaineCooperativeExtension #MOFGA #CollectiveGardening #BuildingCommunity #SelfReliance #FeedingCommunity
Community Gardens and Food Security in Maine - Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners
This webinar is hosted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Across Maine, community gardens are increasing food security by bringing people together to grow food for their communities. This panel will explore how collective garden spaces allow neighbors to work side by side to grow fresh, local food that is donated to food security […]
If nothing else, I'll plant some sunflowers and maybe some corn -- things that I don't quite have room for in my small vegetable plot (and then I'll focus on growing more smaller veggies -- like beets, tomatoes, potatoes, etc.)!
#GYO #CommunityGardens #MaineCommunityGardens #SolarPunkSunday
Ma Quest 
We Are The Ark Wilding Gardens Project
https://wearetheark.org/
#SolarPunkSunday #ReWilding #Gardens #WeAreTheArk #WildingGardens #CommunityGardens #Community
Knepp's Wilding Gardens Project
https://www.wildinggardens.co.uk/
#SolarPunkSunday #ReWilding #Gardens #Knepp #WildingGardens #CommunityGardens #Community
MattDO YOU COMPOST? There's an app for that!
A free and open source app to help pair up people who compost with people who have food waste. You can register as either option to help connect with neighbours, community gardens, or local businesses.
#Gardening #Composting #Compost #Community #Gardens #CommunityGardens #LocalBusiness #FOSS
JackMex#WellingboroughUK - #WellingboroughEcoGroup - #CommunityAllotment
Working Parties / Meet-ups are every Wednesday!
"Wellingborough Eco Group have taken on a plot at #LadywellAllotments in Wellingborough, to give people the chance to share skills and to grow plants. The site was cleared and is now a user-friendly space to grow #fruit, #vegetables and other plants to benefit the #community.
The Plan
We decided that everyone should be able to use the plot, so hard standing for car parking, and access to a covered area near the entrance was seen as a must. Spaces for two cars will be provided at the front of the plot. A covered 12′ X 8′ ‘gazebo’ will be on the right as you enter plot. A fence will separate the parking strip from the rest of the plot.
Grass paths will then lead from the gazebo across the plot to the left side, with a raspberry border between it and the fence, and vegetable growing area moving down the plot. Either side of this area, grass paths will run to the bottom of the allotment. Midway down the plot, we will assemble the greenhouse as a central feature. Grass paths will cross the plot in front and behind the greenhouse. Water butts will be put either side of the greenhouse.
The first path will lead to our wildlife garden and pond to the left of the plot, behind the neighbouring plot holders shed. A bench is also planned for this area. The apple tree next to this will have its canopy raised to allow more space for seating and the path.
Behind the #greenhouse, we will construct raised beds and #CompostBins. Our two sheds will be built in the two corners at the rear of the plot. One will be for storage, the other for a composting toilet. A solar panel could be attached to the toilet shed to power a light, water pump and fan for the loo. Both sheds will have numerous water butts alongside them.
The People
Anyone can volunteer at the Community Allotment, you don’t have to know anything about #gardening and tools will be provided. We have working parties at the allotment on Wednesdays, these are advertised on our dedicated Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/communityallotment, meet you at the gates to the allotment at the end of Hillside Road, or call 07311 705705 to get in."
FMI:
https://wellingboroughecogroup.org.uk/eco/community-allotment/
#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #CommunityGardens #GrowYourOwn #GrowYourOwnFood
#UMaineCooperativeExtension - Bulletin #4311, Planning and Managing a Community “Giving” Garden in Maine
By John Jemison, Extension Professor, Soil and Water Quality, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
"Fifteen years ago, I taught an Environmental Sustainability course for University of Maine Cooperative Extension. It was a seven-evening session involving approximately 20 hours of education/training. I asked participants to return 20 hours of service to the community. I also suggested (having never really gardened in a group or community setting) that we might consider taking some unused town land and starting a garden where we could supply food to the Birch Street Senior Citizen Center in #OronoME. A low-cost lunch is offered at the center four days a week, which helps ensure that Orono seniors do not go hungry. I thought some fresh food would be nice. The original plan fell through, but we altered the plan to grow diverse fresh vegetables and bring a bag of vegetables with a recipe to people living in low-income senior housing near the garden. We have delivered many tons of food over the past 15 years and made great connections with seniors in the area. All of us have learned a great deal about the challenges and rewards of growing food and working together. This publication is an effort to capture what we have learned and give others a guide to do this type of a program in another area. The information provided here should be reasonably applicable across all New England.
Guide Organization
This guide is intended to help anyone who has an interest in community gardening to do that task with skill and capacity. Gardening isn’t difficult, but gardening well is not easy. This guide can be useful for anyone who gardens, but I have designed it intentionally to help people start community gardens and community giving gardens. This guide provides information on gardening methods; pest management; what, when, and how to plant specific vegetables with a focus on #NewEngland growing conditions; delivery program basics; and putting the garden to bed for the winter. I have also included some links to recipes that can be given to the food recipients so that they know what to do with the foods we provide."
Learn more:
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/4311e/
#SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #Gardening #GivingGardens #BuildingCommunity #FreshFood
Bulletin #4311, Planning and Managing a Community “Giving” Garden in Maine - Cooperative Extension Publications - University of Maine Cooperative Extension
This Community “Giving” Garden guide provides information on gardening methods; pest management; what, when, and how to plant specific vegetables with a focus on New England growing conditions; delivery program basics; and putting the garden to bed for the winter. Also includes some recipes.