Tentative Timeline

The success of this garden depends on a slew of factors: Will we find someone to plow and rototill the land? Will the soil be contaminated? Now that McDonalds is letting us use their water, is it possible to run a hose across their parking lot?

Over the next few weeks, Molly - the Americorps VISTA at Catholic Charities - will be working hard to answer these questions. For now, she has compiled a tentative timeline:






Week of March 29 -- Test soil, second general interest meeting











Week of April 5 -- Garden Board applications are due








Week of April 12 -- Bring manure and compost to garden site, rototill land








Week of April 19 -- Put up deer netting, raised beds, and compost bins








Week of April 26 -- Start planting!








Can you help?

Do you know of anyone near the garden site who has the equipment to plow/rototill? The Department of Social Services can provide the manpower to prepare the land, but they do not have the necessary equipment. We have left several messages for BOCES regarding their agriculture equipment, but have not recieved a response. Any leads? E-mail Molly at: MKerker@dor.org

Second General Interest Meeting

Thanks to all who came to the first general interest meeting!

We'll be holding another meeting, this time to accommodate those that work during the day. It will be Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00pm, at 20 Chapel Street in Mt. Morris.

Hope to see y'all there!

Also, here's a picture of our garden space. It's right across from the Catholic Charities office at 34 East State Street, to the left of McDonalds. This space gets full sun, and I hear the soil is excellent!



And, here's a tentative map of the garden:



Do you have a favorite vegetable or herb you'd like to see grown in the garden? If so, let Molly know: MKerker@dor.org

General Interest Meeting

Do you want to…

Cut down on your grocery bills?

Get free fresh vegetables and herbs?

Beautify your community?

If so, join Catholic Charities and the Arc of Livingston-Wyoming in starting the Community Crops Initiative -- a community garden in Mt. Morris, NY!

General interest meeting (all are welcome!):

Monday, March 22nd at 1pm at the Mt. Morris Food Pantry (20 Chapel Street, Mt. Morris)

If you can’t come to the meeting but want to participate, contact Molly:
(585) 658-4466 x/24
MKerker@dor.org

How You Can Help

Are you interested in getting involved?

We are in need of donations such as:

- Wood (preferably cedar, cypress or redwood) to build 4 12’x’5 x 2’ raised beds
- Components for raised beds (corner braces, nails, etc.)
- Garden tools (wheelbarrows, hand tools, shovels, etc.)
- Deer netting or other fencing
- A tool shed (kit or pre-constructed)
- Monetary donations of any size

If you're interested in becoming a community gardener, contact Molly:

E-mail: MKerker@dor.org
Phone: (585) 658-4466 x/24
Mail: 34 East State Street Mt. Morris, NY 14510

There will be an interest meeting in the near future. The date will be posted soon.

Why Have a Community Garden in Livingston County?

Community gardens serve many functions. They have been shown to strengthen community bonds, decrease crime, beautify neighborhoods, develop food security and improve physical and psychological health. Community gardens are generally associated with urban areas, where green space is otherwise limited. So why should we communally garden in rural Livingston County?

Mt. Morris is a prime example of why we should garden. In Mt. Morris, there is no supermarket. Public transportation is limited, and many residents do not own their own vehicle. As a result, low-income residents are relegated to shopping at local drug stores and gas stations, where food is often unhealthy and expensive. Low-income community members rely on the Mt. Morris Food Pantry (of Catholic Charities of Livingston County) to supplement their monthly groceries with healthy food. However, the Pantry has no reliable resource to keep fresh produce on its shelves.

It is no wonder that a 2003 New York State Department of Health study reported that only 29.3% of Livingston County residents were reported to eat at least 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day. Catholic Charities of Livingston County performed its own one-month survey through the Mt. Morris Food Pantry. Only 22.2% of those surveyed reported to eat at least 5 servings of fruits or vegetables a day. The reasons given for poor eating included the high expense of healthy food, a lack of transportation to the supermarket, and a lack of preparation/cooking knowledge.

The Community Crops garden will help alleviate these burdens of price, proximity, and unfamiliarity. Half of the garden’s harvest will be distributed to our low-income neighbors through the Mt. Morris Food Pantry. The remaining crops will be available for community gardeners. The garden will be located at 96 Main Street, within walking distance of the Pantry. Cooking demonstrations, performed by Pantry volunteers and utilizing food from the garden, will help demystify otherwise unfamiliar produce.

All food-related benefits aside, it is important to remember that the most important word in the phrase “community garden” is community. The Community Crops garden will bring together our diverse population to work towards a common goal. The ARC of Livingston County will bring children and adults with disabilities to work in the garden, through its KidStart and day rehab programs. A series of culturally-appropriate plots will grow food for our Hispanic/Latino population. And, the garden will provide a safe space for our low-income and affluent neighbors to work together. Across all levels of ability, ages, cultures, and income levels, the Community Crops garden will help our community grow.