New manual tells how to start community garden

A newly created “How to Start A Community Garden” manual was produced by the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council as part of their Cultivating Local Food project funded by the Meyer Memorial Trust to support Oregon-based food system projects.

The manual describes a community garden; its benefits; and tips for growing and preparing food in Central Oregon.

Whether a garden is established or a community — organization, neighborhood, faith community, school — is thinking of starting one, this resource provides step-by-step resources and opportunities for fundraising.

Program Coordinator Katrina Van Dis explains, “This manual provides a comprehensive look at how to start and fund a garden, especially in our challenging growing climate in Central Oregon.”

It also aligns with COIC’s current project to provide regional community gardens in Bend, Sisters, Madras and Warm Springs grants and technical assistance to support their capacity to grow more food and involve more people.

In support of this project is the Central Oregon Food Policy Council, which is interested in seeing more community gardens developed in Central Oregon to increase the local food infrastructure and allow more people access and ability to growing their own foods.

For more resources on growing food, including “Vegetable Gardening in Central Oregon” or a vegetable garden calendar visit their website at www.centraloregonfoodpolicy.org.

The manual is available online at COIC (www.coic.org/cd/agriculture.html) or at the Central Oregon Food Policy Council.