First Meeting Recap

Yesterday we had our first meeting for the community garden, and it went very well. Sincere thanks to everyone who took time out of your Saturday to attend, and a big thank you also goes to David Austen of The Observer who came to hear more about the project. Clara Pinckney also stopped by and kindly offered to donate Seedway seeds to our group. Thanks Clara!

Some meeting highlights:

• A good source of tools for our lending library would be estate sales.

• Any tools kept at the garden would need to be stored, and Wood-Tex offers sheds at wholesale prices to community groups such as Habitat for Humanity.

• A community composting system may pose some challenges when it comes to keeping chemicals or other contaminants out of the donated materials. Someone would also need to be on hand to receive and work with any donated food scraps, which would cause odor problems or attract animals if left unattended. Starting with a composting system only using waste generated by the garden would keep things simple, and we could work on ways to implement a public composting program later.

• Using locally milled oak boards would be an affordable way of constructing good long-lasting raised beds. Concrete blocks would also make good sides for a cold frame bed.

• A good size for our garden would be about 2 acres.

• We should get input from the neighbors of the Pleasant St. site, and begin developing a good relationship with them. A crucial part of maintaining the security of the garden is having adjoining neighbors who are willing to watch for problems like vandalism.

• Food preservation and canning workshops for our members can be held at the Milly's Pantry community kitchen (currently under construction).

• Adopting a planter on the Main St. bridge or maintaining planters in front of Main St. businesses, with signs advertising the community garden would help us raise awareness.

• We could donate a produce basket or garden themed gift to a church auction to help raise awareness.

• We could have an info booth at the Farmer's Market, Keuka Arts Festival, Pickin' in the Street, Cruisin' Night, etc.

• Other ideas for communication and advertising: Lake to Lake Bulletin, Time Warner Community Channel, WEOS Radio, Twitter, Yates County Progressives email list, presentations to clubs and service organizations

• We might be able to sell extra produce or cut flowers at the Farmer's Market or other venues to help raise money for the garden. We would need to check with Bruce Lyon, Village code officer, about how our fundraising efforts would fit with the garden's residential zoning.

• Other possible funding sources: The Izaak Walton League, t-shirts printed at Flying Colors with business sponsors listed on the back, solicitations to service clubs like Rotary

• A bank account should be set up to handle donations and other funds for the community garden.

• A PayPal button should be added to the website for donations.

• Possible sources of volunteers:  Penn Yan Library teen group, FFA, church youth groups, 4-H, boy and girl scouts, ARC, Keuka Lake Association, and Penn Yan students looking to fulfill community service requirements