Community Gardens

Are community gardens and local food just another trend, a movement and something that is hip or cool? Yes, it may be just another movement but community gardening and urban farms have spread like wildfire and can be found in many cities and countries throughout the world. So why are there groups of citizens, non- profit organizations, donors, cities and many other organizations occupying their time and energy into establishing these little plots of productive land? Because community gardens not only increase the absolute freshest produce available to people, they also put people to work, provide a valuable source of education (simple soil science, insect pest management, wild life and even cooking), bring communities together, decrease food miles, increase property values, attract pollinators, recycle nutrients, provide a sight gentle to the eyes, and enliven the spirit. Although this list is not near as comprehensive as it could potentially be it does provide insight into why community gardens are an essential component in urban landscapes.
Why am I so “concerned” or rather obsessed with community gardens? It contributes to the past experiences and realizations I had while reflecting upon my past. Growing up my exposure to gardening occurred in my dear Grandma Elsie’s garden near Ardmore, Alberta, Canada. With an optimum growing season and cornucopia full of weeds Grandma Elsie put my sister and I to work when we visited during the summer. I think this little seed was placed deep in my heart and in the back corners of my mind lying dormant until the right conditions to sprout that seed were present. That day came when I was introduced to WOOF-ing or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. I worked on organic farm called Malu Aina on the Big Island of Hawaii for about 3. There I was able to experience exotic crops, transplant banana trees during intense rain, watch wild boars destroy a sweet potato crop, help Micronesian descendant catch lice ridden chickens, smell cinnamon leaves from a cinnamon tree and listen to coqui frogs permeate their sounds in the night. After this experience I traveled to Seattle where I became involved as a volunteer with Seattle Tilth and the Interbay Community Garden. With this organization I was able to work with many different people from various cultural backgrounds. My heart grew with the desire to learn more about urban agriculture, what it takes to grow my own garden and rural agriculture production systems. Thus, this drive sent me north to Canada where I grew my own garden and worked on a strawberry farm for most of the growing season. Although I wasn’t able to stay for the entire growing season it led to my decision of getting a degree in agroecology and horticulture. On an impulse I researched open jobs in Cheyenne so I could return to school. I thankfully found and solidified a position with Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters where I mentored youth. One of the many programs I put together was, SURPRISE, a community garden. I obtained a plot at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and had a group of interested youth design, plant and manage the garden. They were able to take the produce home as it was ready to harvest and some of the food was donated to a local food bank. A year is a short time but I was on the move to Laramie where I discovered the student farm ACRES and Feeding Laramie Valley. With these two organizations I was able to connect with many people who were just as passionate and interested in the same things as I was. It was all about opportunities and experiences, knowledge and skills, passion and hard work!
Now I will embark on a new stage in my life as I will graduate this spring (if all goes as planned). I will be an intern with the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and venture to become an expert in my field. My path has been more like following a winding cow path than following a hiking trail. However, I am so thankful for the experiences I have had and to be able to attend the University of Wyoming. It has not been easy both on an academic level and a social level but persistence is the key. I owe the professors, donors and staff at the College of Ag a huge Thank You! Thank you for helping me along my path.
If you ever have the opportunity, visit a local garden in your community and maybe just maybe you will be able to experience that magic.