Posted by (+190) 13 years ago
Area people interested in local food - growing it and eating it - are invited to participate in a discussion of what it takes to start a community garden on Monday, Nov. 15 in Room 106 at Miles Community College, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Dawson County Extension Agent Bruce Smith, an area leader in local food systems and value-added agriculture, will talk about his experience starting a successful community garden project in Glendive.
Smith became an Montana State University Extension Agent in 1994 and moved back to eastern Montana, where he has been active in promoting rural leadership, local food systems, and community and economic development. His background and experience in value-added agriculture, food manufacturing, and business management have given him a different perspective on Montana's agricultural future.
Smith's current projects include the Farm-to-Table Project, developing a culinary arts program in partnership with Dawson Community College, a small food manufacturing business that uses local foods, a community garden, a local foods store, a Farmers Market, a high tunnel project, and an ag marketing cooperative. Future plans include a regional food and agriculture development center and a local foods restaurant and microbrewery.
Community gardens allow people to provide themselves with healthy, nutritious, delicious, and affordable food. They encourage an active lifestyle and bring families, friends, and neighbors together in a positive and safe environment. They provide access to land for people who wouldn't otherwise grow their own food and can save individuals and families money on their grocery bills and save energy in the cost of food transportation.
Community gardens also benefit the whole community by restoring vibrancy to often vacant land and by bringing neighbors together. Community gardens can improve the quality of life, social interactions, and self-reliance of urban and semi-urban neighborhoods in Montana by creating safe public space, conserving energy and resources, and preserving green space.
Contact the Custer County Extension office with any questions at 874-3370.
Dawson County Extension Agent Bruce Smith, an area leader in local food systems and value-added agriculture, will talk about his experience starting a successful community garden project in Glendive.
Smith became an Montana State University Extension Agent in 1994 and moved back to eastern Montana, where he has been active in promoting rural leadership, local food systems, and community and economic development. His background and experience in value-added agriculture, food manufacturing, and business management have given him a different perspective on Montana's agricultural future.
Smith's current projects include the Farm-to-Table Project, developing a culinary arts program in partnership with Dawson Community College, a small food manufacturing business that uses local foods, a community garden, a local foods store, a Farmers Market, a high tunnel project, and an ag marketing cooperative. Future plans include a regional food and agriculture development center and a local foods restaurant and microbrewery.
Community gardens allow people to provide themselves with healthy, nutritious, delicious, and affordable food. They encourage an active lifestyle and bring families, friends, and neighbors together in a positive and safe environment. They provide access to land for people who wouldn't otherwise grow their own food and can save individuals and families money on their grocery bills and save energy in the cost of food transportation.
Community gardens also benefit the whole community by restoring vibrancy to often vacant land and by bringing neighbors together. Community gardens can improve the quality of life, social interactions, and self-reliance of urban and semi-urban neighborhoods in Montana by creating safe public space, conserving energy and resources, and preserving green space.
Contact the Custer County Extension office with any questions at 874-3370.