Over two days in early September, a group from the Master Gardener Board took a field trip to visit the five community gardens which had received grants from JCMGA. At each garden, we were given a warm welcome and a tour. We were impressed by the dedication and resourcefulness of the volunteers.
JCMGA bestowed $1,000 to the Rogue Valley Food Bank Garden. They will use their grant to add raised beds and expand their irrigation. They showed us how they used burlap sacks to line their paths. Also, they had an impressive system set up for cleaning the produce they produced.
The Holly Street Community Garden is using their grant money of $1,500 to replace the roof on their shed. They have plantings that attract specific types of bees.
The Community Garden at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix, where the garden was demolished by the Almeda fire in 2020, has been completely rebuilt. They are expanding their current irrigation system. In addition, they are currently developing a children’s learning garden with the help of Kristina Lefever from Pollinator Project Rogue Valley. We were able to award them $350.
The Garden of Giving associated with Providence Hospital in Medford will use their $250 grant money to replace a garden shed and buy supplies. Their produce gets distributed to Providence staff and others.
Eagle Point Community Garden in Eagle Point received $250 from JCMGA, and has used their grant money to buy fencing to keep the deer out of their garden. Currently, they have only chicken wire around most of their small space. They have a small garden, with a tumbler for mixing their compost.
Congratulations to each of these wonderful gardens. It was gratifying to learn that we were able to contribute to their success through our fund-raising efforts.
Oregon State University Extension
