Neighborhood Vegetable and Flower Garden Project

Farrell

Introduction and Vision

Today, there are many vacant lots in both Farrell and Sharon – a blight that diminishes the quality of life, depresses property values, and overwhelms redevelopment efforts.  Both cities have cleared debris and planted grass in some of these lots, yielding quality-of-life benefits for neighborhoods.  This is the first step to stabilize the lot. We would like to take this effort to the next level. We propose to have the cities of Sharon and Farrell begin to turn over these lots to be used for community gardens. As a start, we suggest one lot in Farrell for the spring and summer of 2009.

Cooperative  community gardening is a way for urban residents to have access to fresh vegetables for their families, for others it is a way to become involved with neighbors in creating  a place where a group of people living in close proximity can work together to cultivate a piece of land for vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers.  Community gardens cultivate food and community and provide nurturance to the human spirit.

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Decades of community gardening throughout the country have validated the positive effects that plants and gardening have on human beings, neighborhoods, the environment and local economics. Our proposal benefits lower income families, providing an important means for increasing access to fresh, healthy food at almost no cost, and at the same time, encouraging neighborhood beautification and community building. Community gardens stimulate social interaction, conserve local resources and provide bountiful opportunity for recreation, exercise, stress reduction and education. Gardening also provides opportunity for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections. 

Community Organization:

The community organization responsible for this project will be the Sharon & Farrell Neighborhood Association.  The Association will organize the neighbors who live in close proximity to the community garden to help design, build, and maintain the garden.  This it is critical, as it will generate investment, interest and involvement from the neighborhood which in turn guarantees the success of a community garden. 

Community Partners:

            ERASE, Anti-Drug Coalition

            Mercer County Master Gardeners

            City of Farrell

            Farrell School District

            First Presbyterian Church, Sharon

            Weed and Seed TALL Team

            Weed and Seed Community Youth Council

            Sharon and Farrell C.O.O.L. Kids

            Mercer County Juvenile Probation

            District Justice Ron Antos

            Duferco Farrell

            DJ’s Greenhouse

Budget for project:

            Community seed money: Weed and Seed

            Donations: First Presbyterian Church, Sharon, DJ Ron Antos

            Fundraising

Site Background:

Identify potential sites: SE Corner of Spearman & Union

Determine ownership and/or plans for future development:
City of Farrell       

Garden Design andConstruction:

Soil testing

Soil preparation (ex: amending the soil with organic matter): Delivered Topsoilamended with mushroom compost.

Identify water sources (ex: neighbors houses, rain barrels, fire hydrants: Rain barrels donated. Farrell Fire Department will fill with water.  

Determine garden size and design (ex: raised beds, layout, and types of plants):Completed layout, tilled bed areas, constructed raised beds

Access limitations (ex: fencing for safety, destruction, theft)                               

Digger’s Hotline (mark any buried utilities): No utilities

Actual construction (ex: tractor, tools, and tillers): Completed tilling

Planting vegetables and herbs: Completed vegetable planting

Planting perennial flowers along the borders in public view: Completed perennial planting

Maintenance Requirements:   

            Watering and weeding

            Harvesting crops regularly and donating excess

            Picking up litter around the perimeter of the lot

            Cutting grass in common areas

            “Neighborhood watch” for problems (ex: dumping and vandalizing)

            End of season cleanup

Other Concerns:

            Signage to inform the public: Ordering sign with all community partners

            Providing information for those new to gardening to be successful

            Neighborhood block party

            Media coverage

            Sharing lessons learned with other groups

            Planning for next year’s growing season

Tom Amundsen, President ERASE Board of Directors

Babs Quincy, Mercer County Master Gardener

3/17/09, Updated 5/22/09, 6/1/09