Here is an article written by Sarah Moser for the Tri-County Tribune and published January 12, 2011
When
Chris Burns and Llyn Peabody, first moved to Monroe, they went for a
walk in the park in Alpine. They started imagining what an ideal spot it
would be for a garden. “It didn’t look like the park was being used for
much and some of the buildings and benches were suffering from
vandalism, so we mentioned it to some people at one of the pot lucks at
the Alpine Community Center,” Chris said. “People were very supportive.”
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| Alpine's sign - painted winter 2010 |
In
April of 2009, Chris and Llyn planted their first garden in Alpine.
“The first year was a success; we grew enough food to share with our
local food bank, and vandalism disappeared in the park. We realized we
had the ability to expand much farther and there were a lot more people
who wanted to get involved.” Llyn said.
So
in 2010, they approached Chester Crowson, who owns land between the
Monroe Food Bank at the United Methodist Church and the town's Grade
School. “We told him what we wanted to do and he thought it was a great
idea,” Chris said. “He gave us the use of a large shed for our tools,
an area 110' x 170' for the garden and has supported us 100 percent. He
even put in a new pump on the well and paid for the electricity to water
the garden.”
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| Monroe's sign and shed. (Grade school in back, left.) |
The
“Sharing Garden” is unlike most community gardens. “Instead of many
separate plots, rented by individuals, the gardens are one large plot
shared by all.” Llyn said. “We grow it all together. Anybody who has
contributed in some way , or is in need, is free to harvest from the
garden. No one is ever charged money for the food that is grown.” The
entire surplus goes to the Monroe Food Bank and other charitable
organizations. “All we ask is that people be sensitive to the fact that
they not take more than their share,” chimed in Chris, “The gardens help
us re-learn the values of sharing that we were all taught as children.
If everyone gives what they can, and only takes what they need, there's
enough to go around.”
In
2010, one of their biggest challenges was distributing all of the food
they grew; it was quite a increase from the first year. “The first year
we were generating a surplus of about a wheel barrow worth of food a
week. ” Llyn said. Their entire operating budget was $1,230.
In 2010, they spent $9,240 and were able to grow over 5,000 pounds of
food. At the season's peak they were donating over 300 pounds of food
per week. “This same organic produce, if bought at the store, would have
cost almost $10,000 dollars.” Llyn said.
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| A partial harvest - August 2010 |
The
expenses for the gardens are covered through gifts and grants. “In
2010, we received our largest support from Trust Management Services, of
Oregon. They made it possible to expand the gardens and for us to
receive a stipend as well.” said Llyn. Other grants came from two
garden clubs in Corvallis, the Lions Club and private individuals.
“People donate in other ways too,” Chris said. “The Alpine Community
Center (a 501c3) played a major role in helping us secure the financial
and community support we've needed to make this project a success. They
have also included us under their insurance policy. People also donate
tools, mulch and building materials; our project has been responsible
for diverting literally tons of material from burn-piles and the
landfill.”
There
are anywhere between 125 and 200 families a month served by the Monroe
Food Bank. The garden supplements the primarily boxed and canned foods
these families receive.
“We
really focus on the basics that we know people will eat,” Chris said.
“We stay way from exotic foods, and grow the stuff you'd ordinarily find
in the markets—things like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, green beans,
potatoes and lettuce.”
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| Young people harvesting green beans - 2010 |
The
volunteers are an essential aspect of the project. “We couldn't do it
without them,” says Llyn. “They help us in every aspect of growing and
harvesting the food. Last year we had people from all walks of
life—children, families and older people who want to help out and learn
about gardening.” Many of Chris and Llyn’s volunteers are people who
hear about the garden while picking up food at the food bank.
“Many of them are learning to garden and store food for the first time,”
Chris added. “These skills give people a sense of security. What could
be more important than learning how to grow your own food?”
This
year they are also in the midst of building a 2,000 square-foot green
house. Between the three gardens they will have roughly two thirds of an
acre in cultivation. They will be able to start seeds a lot earlier
with the green house; probably the middle of February. It will also
extend the harvest season well into the fall.
Not only do the “Sharing Gardens” feed people's bodies, but their hearts and minds as well.
“People
feel inspired by what we're doing,” Llyn said, “Whether they're
actually helping us in the garden, or just reading about it on our blog,
this project gives people a good feeling inside. I love the feeling of
being of service. It feels extremely meaningful to be feeding people. I
was never a gardener before I met Chris and now I love to garden. What a
miracle. It is absolutely amazing. You put this little seed in the
ground and it can produce enough to feed dozens of people.” “You get out
of it what you put in,” Chris said. “When you wake up each day you
have something to look forward to. You know you are going to help people
smile, and feel better about themselves, you know you are going to be
outdoors getting some sunshine, you are working with living things and
plants and seeds and there is a great satisfaction being close to the
earth, helping people and eating good wholesome food.”
