Posted by (+187) 12 years ago
Community garden now taking applications
By AMANDA BREITBACH RAGSDALE
Miles City Star
Organizers of the Miles City Community Garden are now seeking interested gardeners for the 2011 growing season.
The garden is located on the south end of the Holy Rosary Healthcare campus in a grassy space that includes a pump house with access to water from the irrigation ditch.
The community garden will cover about one acre of the space, divided into approximately 78 individual plots. For a fee of $20, interested individuals and groups can reserve a 10-by-20-foot plot for their own use. Fee waivers are also available for low-income gardeners and non-profit groups interested in participating.
Gardeners must comply with all rules drawn up by garden organizers and sign a liability waiver.
Along with the plot, gardeners will have access to free irrigation water. Organizers' plans also call for a game fence to protect plants and produce from wildlife. Depending on participant demand, the space will be divided into designated organic and non-organic growing areas, with a buffer zone to separate them.
Anyone can reserve space in the garden - from experienced growers to beginners, families, and work or church groups.
"We're really encouraging people to sign up," said Custer County Extension Agent Christina McRae, adding that she plans to work with local 4-H clubs, the R.O.C.K.S. after school program, the Developmental Educational Assistance Program (DEAP), W.I.C. and other groups to help more local children and families get involved.
Members of the committee working to establish the garden have envisioned it as a space where members will share experiences and knowledge with their neighbors. The garden also will offer educational opportunities for students, families and others to learn about gardening and nutrition - an opportunity the group hopes to capitalize on as the project takes shape.
Organizers recently received their first grant to help fund the project through the Holy Rosary Healthcare Mission Fund. Some of the initial priorities will be installing an irrigation system and designating and graveling a parking lot. As more funds become available, the group also plans to build a game fence to protect the space.
A number of local businesses and individuals already have come forward with donations of labor and materials to help accomplish the project. Among them are Holy Rosary Healthcare, Horizon Implement, Keep Miles City Beautiful, local Master Gardeners, the Miles City Garden Club, the Miles Community College heavy equipment program, Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply, Northern Landscaping and Solaris Feeders.
"We are so grateful for their assistance," said McRae, noting that donors to the project will be recognized in some way at the garden site.
Sign-up for plots in this year's garden will run through May 1. Applications are available through the Custer County Extension office. For more information, contact McRae at 874-3370 or [email protected] or Amanda Breitbach Ragsdale at [email protected].
By AMANDA BREITBACH RAGSDALE
Miles City Star
Organizers of the Miles City Community Garden are now seeking interested gardeners for the 2011 growing season.
The garden is located on the south end of the Holy Rosary Healthcare campus in a grassy space that includes a pump house with access to water from the irrigation ditch.
The community garden will cover about one acre of the space, divided into approximately 78 individual plots. For a fee of $20, interested individuals and groups can reserve a 10-by-20-foot plot for their own use. Fee waivers are also available for low-income gardeners and non-profit groups interested in participating.
Gardeners must comply with all rules drawn up by garden organizers and sign a liability waiver.
Along with the plot, gardeners will have access to free irrigation water. Organizers' plans also call for a game fence to protect plants and produce from wildlife. Depending on participant demand, the space will be divided into designated organic and non-organic growing areas, with a buffer zone to separate them.
Anyone can reserve space in the garden - from experienced growers to beginners, families, and work or church groups.
"We're really encouraging people to sign up," said Custer County Extension Agent Christina McRae, adding that she plans to work with local 4-H clubs, the R.O.C.K.S. after school program, the Developmental Educational Assistance Program (DEAP), W.I.C. and other groups to help more local children and families get involved.
Members of the committee working to establish the garden have envisioned it as a space where members will share experiences and knowledge with their neighbors. The garden also will offer educational opportunities for students, families and others to learn about gardening and nutrition - an opportunity the group hopes to capitalize on as the project takes shape.
Organizers recently received their first grant to help fund the project through the Holy Rosary Healthcare Mission Fund. Some of the initial priorities will be installing an irrigation system and designating and graveling a parking lot. As more funds become available, the group also plans to build a game fence to protect the space.
A number of local businesses and individuals already have come forward with donations of labor and materials to help accomplish the project. Among them are Holy Rosary Healthcare, Horizon Implement, Keep Miles City Beautiful, local Master Gardeners, the Miles City Garden Club, the Miles Community College heavy equipment program, Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply, Northern Landscaping and Solaris Feeders.
"We are so grateful for their assistance," said McRae, noting that donors to the project will be recognized in some way at the garden site.
Sign-up for plots in this year's garden will run through May 1. Applications are available through the Custer County Extension office. For more information, contact McRae at 874-3370 or [email protected] or Amanda Breitbach Ragsdale at [email protected].
