As we move deeper into springtime here in Tallahassee and the Big Bend area the important benefits accrued through improving our environment through involvement with the land is ever increasing. One important way to do that is by getting involved in supporting a local organic garden, either by engaging as a member and/or supporting other local initiatives in this area.
Today’s column focuses on the importance of local agricultural efforts to improve community health as well as that of the environment.
Information on available resources to support the establishment of local gardens as well as noting two actual gardens and others groups involved in these efforts is discussed.
Finally, links to additional resources is provided at the end of the column.
Tomatoes ripen at the Southwood Community Garden. Whether it’s in a backyard, container or windowsill garden, Leon County has resources to help with gardening efforts.
Some background on sustainability and the food factor
Everyone needs to eat, and like anything in life, there are always ways to do it more sustainably. Eating local strengthens the entire community, not just the food system. There are environmental, economic, health and equity concerns in the food we eat; and the closer to home food originates, the easier it is to know how sustainable it is.
Ways to get involved
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Start a Home Garden: No matter the space, there is a way to grow food at home. Whether it’s in a backyard, container or windowsill garden, Leon County has resources to help. The LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System offers a Seed Library program that gives cardholders access to a variety of free seeds each season. The Leon County Cooperative Extension is available to answer any gardening questions and hosts a number of workshops for gardeners of all skill levels.
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Eat Seasonally. Eating seasonal produce means there’s less travel time between the farm and your plate, and less fossil fuels used in the process.
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Community gardens offer the opportunity to grow food and socialize, while providing benefit to the community at the same time. Whether it’s support through the first growing season or a place to swap best practices with a neighbor, a garden has something to offer everyone.
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Through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, buying a share in a farm means getting a bag of farm fresh produce every week for the whole season. In our area the Red Hills Small Farmers Alliance provides this opportunity for community members. Check out redhillsfarmalliance.com.
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Preserve any extra produce to use in the winter
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Waste not, want not! Since Florida has mild climate, there is more selection of fresh produce, but our selection is still limited seasonally. To help offset the less bountiful harvests of the colder months, extra produce can be canned, frozen, dried, dehydrated, pickled – the options are endless.
Southwood Community Garden is located in Southwood’s town center directly across from the Canopy Roads Café. It contains 33 4’ X 8’ raised bed plots.
Community Gardens in the City of Tallahassee and Leon County
Through its Community Garden Program, Leon County promotes gardens in schools, neighborhoods, and other community centers. In addition, Leon County provides financial and technical support to help the gardens flourish. To date, Leon County has supported over 60 gardens.
Leon County’s Community Garden Program offers technical, material and grant support to citizens looking to start or revitalize a community garden anywhere in the County. Grant funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as long as they are available. Gardens are separated into three categories: County, School Stakeholder, and Non-School Stakeholder. Check out details at cms.leoncountyfl.gov.
The city encourages citizens to work with their neighbors to build, cultivate, and maintain gardens on public lands. The benefits are numerous. Not only can a household introduce fresh produce into their diet, but community gardening is an excellent way to build community too! Engage with your neighbors to strengthen community ties while increasing physical activity, improving dietary intake and security by taking back a vacant lot. Details are available at talgov.com.
Local gardens
There are a number of different local gardens including community and school gardens. Information on two of these gardens follows.
According to its internet link, a longtime community garden, now known as the iGrow-Tallahassee Food Network Community Garden Is located at 611 Dent St. It counts partnerships with Sustainable Tallahassee and the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office.
I have been involved with the establishment of the Southwood Community Garden since its inception some 12 years ago and continue my active membership. The garden is located in Southwood’s town center directly across from the Canopy Roads Café. It contains 33 4’ X 8’ raised bed plots.
Each plot is rented for $5/month and checks are made out to Sustainable Tallahassee.
Thanks to information from the City of Tallahassee, Leon County and IFAS for much of the content provided.
Consider getting out and becoming involved with gardening as well as many other activities related to being a good steward of our environment.
Upcoming columns will feature a couple of local projects, one on composting (Compost Community) and the other on a new approach known as agrivoltaic farming (Fiddlehead Farms Tallahassee Agrivoltaics).
Resources
A great resource for information on green projects including community gardens and many related topics is available at cms.leoncountyfl.gov
A wealth of information on the sustainability factor in food including local and national resources can be found at the following link cms.leoncountyfl.gov
The Leon County Cooperative Extension Service (IFAS) provides many-varied resources for the community, including gardening. A link is at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu.
Check out the guide on the growing season for produce in our area at Seasonal Guide from Full Earth Farm and Red Hills Small Farms Alliance. Visit rhomarket.com.
Information on an upcoming online event relevant to becoming a Master Gardener will take place from 6-7 p.m. June 12. Registration is required for this free event. Visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu.
Mark Mahoney
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Take path to improving personal, community health with garden
