As we put the finishing touches on gift-giving this holiday season, it’s also a good time to consider a gift to one of the many worthwhile community gardening programs. There are a number that help people all over the world – and right here in Colorado. KUNC gardener Tom Throgmorton has more.
It’s the season for giving. There are a lot of things to give to gardeners. It’s also the season to give to gardens.
The Family Gardening Program is a part of the Garden of Eatin’. That is the edible garden at the Gardens on Spring Creek in Ft. Collins. The Family Gardening Program teaches low income families how to grow their food. The involved families work together to grow produce in a communal plot at the Gardens.
The program takes food production to the next level. The families receive basic nutrition information throughout the season. They also get instruction on processing and cooking with the fresh produce. The families walk away with a notebook of resource materials and handouts. They end the season with the knowledge and tools to grow, harvest and cook fresh foods.
A program that received a Larimer County Environmental Stewardship Award is the Growing Project. The Growing Project builds community through gardening. They began with community gardens. That expanded into school gardens. The school gardens get kids involved in growing food for themselves and the community.
The Growing Project works with local farms to bring tons of produce to the Food Bank. Their gleaning project picks unused veggies from farm fields. Volunteers harvest irregular vegetables. Next season they plan to transport the veggies by bike and trailer.
The Paul Smith Children’s Village at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is an active place. It’s a hands-on garden to get kids involved in nature and gardening. The Children’s Village is an award winning design. The design comes alive with almost every step through its gardens.
The Children’s Village hosts classes for fun and education. It’s a place where you can enjoy a campfire, drawing classes and an amazing Santa collection. There is always something to do inside and outside at the Children’s Village.
Globally there is the Heifer International program. Their goal is to create self-sufficiency and end world hunger. Heifer gets people the tools, seeds and animals they need for food and income. Heifer emphasizes community involvement. As families build their flocks and herds, they give back to their community.
It is the season for giving. I know there is a community program that will benefit from a gardener’s gift.
tom@throgmortonplantmanagement.com
