Common Citizen Digest
By commonrootsSpace for Thinking & Discourse
In a recent article by Evelyn Nieves printed in the Washington Post Common Roots found the fact that many cities are growing food wherever they can, inspiring.
Common Roots is wondering what Northern Nevadans think about the potential for massive food growth in our local communities?
“In the grittiest, grimiest, most unlikely neighborhoods, in cities including Los Angeles, Detroit and Miami, volunteer farmers are growing food that provides not only for those who work the gardens, but also for neighbors, food kitchens and school lunchrooms.”
What do you think about expanding this effort in Reno, recognizing this effort has begun (there is a garden in the median on West St. for example), where would you like to see more gardens?
“In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom has taken the urban farm idea to heart, ordering all city departments to identify unused land, including empty lots, rooftops, windowsills and median strips, that could be turned into community gardens.”
Do you see a vacant space near you?
Please post a the location and what you would like to see it be used for in our community!
Discourse inspired by http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/12/AR2009081200159.html?referrer=emailarticle
I dedicated my huge empty back yard in Fernley to community gardening this year…many people have come and planted and weeded and harvested. We have given away over 100# of zucchini, summer squash, and cucumbers to the food pantry. Each of my summer campers (ages 6-12) had their own dedicated tire for their own garden. We have a bee hive, 2 compost piles and more!
We did not get the support of the community per se. We got the support of some individuals. The city just gets in the way. I pass the word around, it goes viral and people show up. It has been very cool. There are lots of spaces everywhere!
Next year I may go into an even bigger Farmer mode. We will see.
Namaste
John
We think community gardens are also a great idea. It improves quality of life, provides community development, is a great social activity. They also conserve resources and have been proven to reduce crime. What neighborhood wouldn’t benefit from something like this?
A community garden linked to the Washoe County School System would be a great installment. Not only would it provide a greater support network for the goal of seeing gardens around town, but they are excellent ‘outdoor classrooms’ for students. Hands-on learning can excite kids and provide short field trips where other outdoor education might be cut.
I’ve had this dream of getting together a presentation about transitioning your lawn into a garden & taking it around to groups (Soroptomists, Rotary, etc). Anybody interested in helping?
Melissa,
I would love to join you! Lawn eradication is at the heart of what we do at Interpretive, but as a community member I would love to go further and inform others on why, how and all the fun involved!
School gardens are taking off in Reno, too. Urban Roots is working with several schools, and there is a school garden coalition in collaboration with the Extension Service. Slowly but surely, food will be replacing all the empty lots, lawns, and medians!
Best,
Jana
There is a huge space in Northwest Reno on Robb Drive between Raley’s and Grace Church. It has great solar orientation and it even appears to have some sort of above ground sprinkler system that isn’t being used. I can envision a thriving community garden there. If the church owned this land they may be open to hosting a garden as a way of giving back to their community.
Community gardens are beautiful and rewarding and Reno needs a few!
Great blog! A pleasure to read.