|
Ottawa
County Community Garden
Network Growing Food for the Hungry |
To supplement the monthly USDA commodity program, Ottawa County Community
Action Agency coordinates a Community Garden Network to benefit low-income
seniors and families. Last year Ottawa County's community gardens produced
nearly 17,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, which was distributed to
needy families.
The Community Garden
Network started three years ago as a collaborative effort between Ottawa
County Community Action Agency, Ottawa County MSU Extension Services,
Master Gardeners, Master Composters, and other community volunteers. The
gardens are located in Holland behind the Macatawa Resource Center, in
Jenison behind the Georgetown Senior Center, in Hudsonville off Port
Sheldon across the street from the Ottawa County Sheriff Office, and in
Grand Haven off Columbus between Fifth and Sixth streets. Master Gardeners
provide guidance to volunteers in testing and preparing the soil,
designing the garden for optimal production, planting, maintaining, and
harvesting the garden. Master composters built and maintain compost bins
at the Holland garden.
Volunteers including,
individuals, families, youth and professional groups, work in the gardens
during the spring and summer. The produce is harvested and distributed by
the Ottawa County Community Action Agency and other local service
organizations to individuals who have a limited income and are in need of
food assistance.
In addition to the
Community Garden Network, the Ottawa County Community Action Agency and
the Ottawa County Michigan State Extension Service collaborate the Plant a
Row for the Hungry campaign. The campaign encourages area gardeners to
plant an extra row of vegetables for the needy in their home gardens.
Launched in 1995, Plant a Row for the Hungry is a public service campaign
of the Garden Writers Association of America. Its goal is to establish a
Plant a Row for the Hungry network in every US state and Canadian
province. Food
distribution locations have been identified throughout Ottawa County so
gardeners can bring their produce to a site where distribution of the
produce to low-income seniors and families takes place. Last
season 4,500 pounds of produce was received from the Plan a Row program in
Ottawa County.
|
If you would like to know how you get involved with the Community Garden
Network, contact:
Mary
Grillo
Ottawa County Community Action Agency
616-393-5619
or e-mail
mgrillo@co.ottawa.mi.us
Donations of hand tools, seeds, vegetable plants, and garden maintenance
is appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
