Organic Community Garden Meeting

Where: Hillcrest Community Center

The community garden, located at Apple Acres on Union Valley Rd, hosts approximately 30 plots used by the gardeners to grow a variety of fruit, vegetables and herbs... all in an exclusively organic manner.

Now entering its fourth year, the garden provides an opportunity for people who would like to garden in a communal environment, but more often than not have either no space, poor soil or no sun at their home.  The garden contains a mix of very experienced gardeners, some of whom are master gardeners, as well as novices looking to lean about gardening.

The annual fee for the plot ($35 or $60 depending upon the size) includes use of all of the tools at the garden, free manure for fertilizer and wood chips for pathways, spring fed water for irrigation, monthly classes, periodic social/special events, and lots of guidance/support from fellow gardeners.  All plot holders are required to be on at least one of the several committees that help to maintain and support the garden.

In the spirit of sustainability and with a goal of striving towards zero waste from the garden, the community garden hosts a program called Ample Harvest which calls on gardeners to donate excess produce that they do not want (i.e. they have harvested more than they can use, preserve or give to friends) which is then distributed by Ample Harvest to local food pantries.

The meeting on March 10th is open to all.  It will be an opportunity to learn about the garden, ask questions, and join the garden.  Participation in the garden is on a first come, first served basis.  Last year, the garden had a waiting list, but nearly everyone on the list eventually ended up with a plot.

For more information, please visit the Community Garden website at http://www.sustainablewestmilford.org/communitygarden.html or contact the garden director, Gary Oppenheimer at 973-409-4093.

 

 

The agenda will include:

1.     A quick introduction of everyone at the meeting.

2.    Collection of signup and monies from returning 2009 garden members

3.    An introduction to the garden, including the philosophy of the garden, what is expected of each gardener, and what the gardeners can expect in return.

4.    A thorough overview of the Community Garden Guidelines, compact (including parking guidelines) and insurance waiver.  Guidelines will be distributed, and the compacts & waivers will be distributed, signed and returned along with the payment for the plot.  Any plots not signed and paid for at this meeting are made available to the waiting list.

5.    Explanation’s of the committees

6.    A review of the Ample Harvest program so they understand their role in it as a gardden member. This year the garden's ample harvest program will be made up of volunteers from the entire community.  If you are interested in helping Ample Harvest gather and deliver food to the pantries, (even if they are not going to join the Organic Community Garden), you are encouraged to come to the meeting.  Please email gary@AmpleHarvest.org first so we can explore your interest and make sure it’s a fit with Ample Harvest.

7.    I’ll also be providing dates for organic garden education this year along with a starter set of topics and ask for input on any other classes/lectures people would like to have through the year.

8.    Q&A’s