Ground Rules:
It is our hope that this Community Garden brings us closer together and improves our collective quality of life. This garden:
Companion planting & crop rotation
Garden plans have been developed utilizing the “companion gardening” concepts. That is, to plant complimentary vegetables together along with annuals that attract beneficial insects.
There are several benefits of this approach. One is that the flowers attract the beneficial insects and another is that of weed control. Pre-planning crops planted in each bed allows for easy crop rotation in the future, so that crops do not deplete nutrients excessively from the garden beds.
Food Justice:
Food justice is recognizing that what we eat has consequences. There are health consequences, but what we eat and how we get our food also greatly impacts the world we share. Jesus said: "I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." (John 10:10) This abundant life Jesus wished for us is of course affected by our health. Our physical health is affected by at least 3 things: nutrition, economics and sustainability.
Nutrition: If we don't feed ourselves properly we will not experience wholeness in mind, body, or spirit. Processed foods lack the vitamins and minerals which fresh foods contain. They contain additives which fresh foods do not. Fresh vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet. The Apostle Paul called our bodies "temples of the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:19) We should treat our bodies with respect and wholesome food!
Economics: Fresh Vegetables are expensive! If you have the time and the space, it is more economical to grow your own. Even container gardens in small spaces can be very fruitful. Community gardens provide a place to learn and practice the skills needed for home gardens. They also solve the problem of space for those who don't have it! Community Supported Agriculture is another more economical way to get fresh local vegetables. Many do not require volunteer time, and most even deliver to convenient pick-up locations on a weekly basis.
Sustainability: Large food corporations have a primary goal of making profits. Consumer health and global stewardship are all too frequently secondary concerns. Mass production reduces diversity of crops. Long distance shipping contributes to greenhouse gasses and requires adding preservative measures. Keeping prices down for the consumer while maximizing profits for the shareholder sometimes results in predatory labor practices. We are harming the palatability of our food, as well as threatening the livability of our planet. Abundant life means honest, healthy and wholesome food not just for us, but for our children, and for our grandchildren's grandchildren. Its got to be about the future as well as about today.
- If its ripe – eat it! (we are not using chemicals, but you might want to wipe the dust off)
- Share with others.
- If you are sure its a weed, pull it! If you are not sure, let it grow.
- If its wilting, water it! The hose is on the right side of the building as you face the church. Please turn off the water tightly when you are done.
- If you see a problem, fix it, or let us know. The church office phone is 637-3780.
- Spread the word.
- Celebrate the beauty of God's creation!
It is our hope that this Community Garden brings us closer together and improves our collective quality of life. This garden:
- Highlights the need for fresh vegetables in a healthy diet.
- Acknowledges the obstacles that keep families from eating healthy: expense of fresh foods, lack of time, lack of skill, lack of space, lack of awareness, perception that its too hard...
- As a Demonstration Garden – the garden will show what is possible, make it tangible, invite people to imagine their own gardens, and menus that include less processed/packaged food.
- Provides opportunities to distribute recipes using the products grown – will help show what is possible and tasty. Overcome lack of knowledge, overcome perceptions.
- Provides opportunities for skill practice in gardening.
- Provides a place to exchange knowledge and ideas .
Companion planting & crop rotation
Garden plans have been developed utilizing the “companion gardening” concepts. That is, to plant complimentary vegetables together along with annuals that attract beneficial insects.
There are several benefits of this approach. One is that the flowers attract the beneficial insects and another is that of weed control. Pre-planning crops planted in each bed allows for easy crop rotation in the future, so that crops do not deplete nutrients excessively from the garden beds.
Food Justice:
Food justice is recognizing that what we eat has consequences. There are health consequences, but what we eat and how we get our food also greatly impacts the world we share. Jesus said: "I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." (John 10:10) This abundant life Jesus wished for us is of course affected by our health. Our physical health is affected by at least 3 things: nutrition, economics and sustainability.
Nutrition: If we don't feed ourselves properly we will not experience wholeness in mind, body, or spirit. Processed foods lack the vitamins and minerals which fresh foods contain. They contain additives which fresh foods do not. Fresh vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet. The Apostle Paul called our bodies "temples of the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:19) We should treat our bodies with respect and wholesome food!
Economics: Fresh Vegetables are expensive! If you have the time and the space, it is more economical to grow your own. Even container gardens in small spaces can be very fruitful. Community gardens provide a place to learn and practice the skills needed for home gardens. They also solve the problem of space for those who don't have it! Community Supported Agriculture is another more economical way to get fresh local vegetables. Many do not require volunteer time, and most even deliver to convenient pick-up locations on a weekly basis.
Sustainability: Large food corporations have a primary goal of making profits. Consumer health and global stewardship are all too frequently secondary concerns. Mass production reduces diversity of crops. Long distance shipping contributes to greenhouse gasses and requires adding preservative measures. Keeping prices down for the consumer while maximizing profits for the shareholder sometimes results in predatory labor practices. We are harming the palatability of our food, as well as threatening the livability of our planet. Abundant life means honest, healthy and wholesome food not just for us, but for our children, and for our grandchildren's grandchildren. Its got to be about the future as well as about today.