2024 Fall Garden Update

2024 Fall Garden Update:
How can we measure the impact of our gardening efforts? We have calculated pounds harvested, numbers of volunteers and volunteer hours spent in the garden, number of returning volunteers and families served. I wish I could capture the awe, curiosity, gratitude, hugs, recipe shares and community connection that is fostered over summer. With your support of the gardens in 2024, farm activities have decreased isolation for seniors, moms, students, police officers, and RTD bus riders and drivers. The acts of digging in the soil, harvesting food, and discovering seeds have helped the community know where food is coming from and where community can be found.
- Education
Diago and Arthur are CU students studying Anthropology. They are hanging out in the garden with us on Thursdays. They’re studying the impacts of community gardens on neighborhoods. - Food Distribution
In August and September we’ve shared produce with volunteers and neighbors 5 times weekly, stocked the Veggie Cooler at the Public House, supplied the West High School food bank, supplied the College View Rec Center, and delivered weekly to Community Ministry. - Health Impact
From the toddler that gums a cucumber to the senior who comes looking for the best tomatoes, we’re providing access to gardening, a dose of fresh air, and to fresh produce. - Community Impact
Tom came to the Clay St. Garden looking for guidance on how to engage the community with Good News Garden located at Sheridan and Vassar. Our Wednesday volunteers are now helping at GNG and looking to partner in 2025. - Social Impact
With a wave, a picnic table, a refreshing sprinkler, or flower bouquet the gardens draw in neighbors with questions and curiosity. This season we haven’t simply given away produce, we’ve invite each visitor to join us, shoulder to shoulder, in the garden, even for a few minutes, to work together and share the harvest.