NORWAY — The Alan Day Community Garden is kicking off its seventh year with an open community meeting and organic bulk seed order. Everyone is welcome. This will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Commons on Main Street. Healthy refreshments will be served.
For most gardeners, this is the mid-point of winter and a fitting time to start thinking about garden plans, including starting the seedlings that take the most time to mature, such as onions, peppers, brussels sprouts and celery. Everyone is welcome to participate in this bulk seed order, which offers outstanding prices and a wide variety of organic, open-pollinated seeds. Order forms will be available at the meeting and pre-payment is appreciated.
Seeds will be delivered and repackaged for pickup at the seed swap and seed saving workshop co-hosted by the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy in the Fare Share Commons, at a date and time to be determined. Seeds can also be picked up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during CEBE business hours.
At this meeting, Garden representatives will welcome everyone by summarizing its history and how far the effort has come in its six years.
“It’s all about building community,” says Coordinator Rocky Crockett. “We’re thrilled to see all kinds of people in the garden. Children, teenagers and elders get excited about homegrown food, Youth Leaders tend the CSA shares, and gardeners help each other all season long.”
The board is also planning the free workshop schedule. Some workshops are already planned and have been offered before (such as scything, Garden to Gourmet and seed saving) but there is room for others. If you have a workshop idea or wish, bring it to the meeting for discussion.
Committees for this year will be introduced and members solicited. Committees include education, workshops, Earth Day, seedling sale, the annual Light the Garden fundraiser in June and the harvest party in October. The board of directors is also looking for a new member.
If you’ve always wanted to learn to garden, or if you wish you had a place to garden, this is a perfect time to get involved. Plots are available for rent for a nominal fee and funds are available this year for anyone who cannot afford the fee.
The Alan Day Community Garden serves elementary school children, employs Youth Leaders, offers a CSA to local businesses and individuals and offers garden plots to anyone who would like to garden. Created in 2009 to honor the memory of local philanthropist and artist Alan Day, it is a 501c3 organization that accepts tax-deductible donations. It is at 26 Whitman St., across from the Grange.
For more information, contact AlanDayCommunityGarden@gmail.com, call 743-2423 and/or visit alandaygarden.wordpress.com.
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