Did you know that many of our neighbors in nearby towns and cities are all ready enjoying successful community gardens of their own? Here are four inspiring examples of community gardens in our area.
Rochester Roots
This not-for-profit 501c3 organization based in Rochester, NY is focused on advocacy, education, and community development, and has created several school-community garden projects that teach elementary school students to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Gardens have been built at two Rochester schools: Franklin Academic Campus at 950 Norton St., and Clara Barton PS #2, at 190 Reynolds St. Produce grown at the schools is harvested and distributed to students and community members who work in the gardens. Teachers are encouraged to integrate the gardens into their lessons.
Rochester Roots also participates in the development of neighborhood vegetable gardens, provides environmental education programs, and helped establish the Genesee Valley Organic Community Supported Agriculture project, based at Peacework Organic Farm in Newark.
Rochester Roots website
Watkins Glen Community Garden
The Watkins Glen Community Garden, sponsored by Catholic Charities and located next to the Watkins Glen Elementary School, was established to teach individuals and families how to raise their own food and to provide fresh vegetables to the Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry.
Last summer, 14 community members rented individual plots (10’ x 20’), and volunteers cared for a large communal plot that produced over 1,500 pounds of produce donated to Schuyler Outreach.
This year, a partnership has been formed with 2nd grade students at the Watkins Glen Elementary School where they will participate in hands-on activities as they learn about the growing cycle from beginning to end. The Observer: Watkins approves community garden
Watkins Glen Community Garden website
Seneca County Community Garden
The Seneca County Community Garden, begun in 2011 in Seneca Falls, includes nine raised beds - approximately 960 square feet of growing space. The produce grown supports local food pantries, the backpack program and garden members.
The project is a first for the county, and is a result of a collaborated effort among human service organizations, local food pantries, private businesses, and concerned individuals.
In addition to supporting the food pantries with locally-grown produce, the Seneca County Community Garden members offer additional education and programming, including food preservation, canning, and healthy eating kitchen demonstrations.
First ever community garden for Seneca Falls
http://www.fingerlakes1.com/addedstories/20110620154838.php
Seneca County Community Garden Website
http://senecacountycommunitygarden.shutterfly.com/
Ithaca Community Gardens Begun in 1976 on a vacant neighborhood lot in Ithaca, NY by a handful of city residents, the community garden quickly grew to 250 participating households by 1981. The group established itself as a community organization serving low-income people, providing educational programs, and assisting with senior citizen's garden programs. A coordinator's position, funded by the Economic Opportunity Corporation, and a board of directors were created to deal with the need for increased leadership.
In 1982 the site was sold to a developer, the funding for the coordinator's salary disappeared, and the garden was relocated to a new plot of land leased from NYSEG, and given a new name: Project Growing Hope. The gardeners cleaned up the site and began improving the heavy clay soil, and eradicating the quack grass that grew there.
In 1986, the City of Ithaca purchased the ten acre tract and the gardens are still there today. Located next to the Ithaca Farmers' Market, Ithaca Community Gardens has approximately 150 plots, a wheelchair accessible garden, and a community composting area. Ithaca Community Gardens website
