Community gardens are shared spaces that promote engagement with neighbors, gardening education, and better access to fresh food. They are a wonderful way to spread the joy of gardening and all its many benefits! Due to our successful fund-raising efforts, JCMGA was able to lend support to five local community gardens with grant awards this year.
Thanks to the outstanding leadership of Sherri Morgan, our Garden Grants committee has refined organization, criteria for awards, and efforts towards advertising, with the result of two additional gardens requesting grants this year. Good job and thank you Sherri! Also, a shout out to Sandy Nelson for managing our Facebook notices and letting the public know that JCMGA is supporting these community gardens. Thank you Sandy!
The Community Outreach Working Group is planning a visit to the winning community gardens and potentially others in the fall. Dates are not yet set, but will be announced later in the summer and members of JCMGA will be able to join.
In addition to providing grant money, JCMGA hopes to further support community gardens through education. Our Speaker’s Bureau provides educational presentations on gardening topics to community groups, clubs, and other organizations. This is one way to engage with our mission of educating Jackson County communities and expanding science-based knowledge for the home gardener. Colet Allen will engage with the contact person for the respective community gardens and determine if this is something that they might like to offer to their gardeners.
There are quarterly Community Garden Network meetings that Sheri Morgan chairs. If anyone you know is interested in working on, or starting a community garden, they are welcome to attend! At the meeting they can find knowledgeable people to answer questions and provide support, and perhaps make new like-minded friends. More information can be found on the JCMGA website.
Awards given for 2025:
| Community and contact | Project(s) | Location | Grant Amount Rewarded |
| Rogue River Food Garden
Helga Bush |
Repair and upgrade the irrigation system | 4733 West Evans Creek Rd
Rogue River, OR 87537 |
$1,000 |
| Holly Street Community Garden
Dana Kline |
Re-roof existing garden shed | 929 S. Ivy Street,
Medford, OR 97501 |
$1,150 |
| Eagle Point Community Garden Shari Lawson | Replace existing fencing | 1409 Siskiyou Blvd,
Medford, OR 97504 |
$250 |
| Providence Community
Health Foundation Lila Farney |
Replace the Garden Shed | 940 Royal Ave, Suite 410,
Medford, OR 97504 |
$250 |
| Blue Heron Community Garden
Sandra Wine |
Purchase new bench and irrigation parts | 109 Abby Street,
Phoenix OR 97535 |
$350 |
Oregon State University Extension
