the people’s garden initiative aimee omohundro housing technician usda rural development
TRANSCRIPT
The People’s Garden Initiative
Aimee OmohundroHousing Technician
USDA Rural Development
The People’s Garden Initiative is an The People’s Garden Initiative is an effort by the United States effort by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Agriculture (USDA) which challenges its employees to which challenges its employees to
establish People’s Gardens at USDA establish People’s Gardens at USDA facilities worldwide or help facilities worldwide or help
communities create gardens. communities create gardens.
People’s Gardens vary in size and People’s Gardens vary in size and type, but all have a common purpose type, but all have a common purpose
– to help the community they’re – to help the community they’re within and the environment.within and the environment.
What is the What is the People’s Garden Initiative?People’s Garden Initiative?
Gardens can benefit Gardens can benefit communities in communities in
many different ways, such as:many different ways, such as:
•Creating spaces for leisure or Creating spaces for leisure or recreation recreation •Fostering pride through Fostering pride through beautification beautification •Providing a harvest to a local food Providing a harvest to a local food bank, bank, •Providing food or shelter for Providing food or shelter for wildlife wildlife •Serving as a demonstration site to Serving as a demonstration site to educate the public and raise educate the public and raise awareness of issues such as: awareness of issues such as: natural resource conservation, natural resource conservation, nutrition, healthy eating, nutrition, healthy eating, sustainable agriculture, forestry, sustainable agriculture, forestry, etc. etc.
The garden was created The garden was created and/or is maintained by a and/or is maintained by a partnership of individuals, partnership of individuals,
groups, organizations, state groups, organizations, state or federal agencies. or federal agencies.
•Utilizing rain barrels for Utilizing rain barrels for irrigation, or irrigation, or •Using water efficient Using water efficient irrigation systemsirrigation systems•XeriscapingXeriscaping•Composting, mulching, or Composting, mulching, or use of cover crops use of cover crops •Planting native speciesPlanting native species•Encouraging beneficial Encouraging beneficial insects insects •Erosion controlErosion control•Storm water managementStorm water management
Note: Note: Gardens located at private residencesGardens located at private residences
are NOT eligible to become are NOT eligible to become People’s Gardens.People’s Gardens.
Kirkendall HeightsKirkendall Heights in Ellsworth, Kansas developed new whiskey barrel gardens.
Residents Betty Jo and Eric are proud to show off their new gardens.
O’Loughlin Village GardenSoxxO’Loughlin Village GardenSoxx
John Harsch and Barb Simpson of Sustainable Environmental Consultants have offered to donate, install, and educate managers and tenants on the maintenance of GardenSoxx for three Multi-Family Housing complexes in Kansas. The GardenSoxx are environmentally friendly, weed free planting “soxx” that may be placed anywhere and moved as necessary. These convenient products will allow the projects to join the People’s Garden initiative by growing the plants of their choice without the hassle and worry of digging a traditional garden.
Trinity Place Senior Trinity Place Senior ResidenceResidence
These raised-bed gardens are located at Trinity Place Senior Residence in Atchison, Kan., which is managed by Homestead Affordable Housing. Homestead Affordable Housing shared their success of implementing raised-bed gardens at their housing projects during the 2011 Rural Rental Housing Association of Kansas Conference in Great Bend.
•Start a People’s Garden at Start a People’s Garden at School!School!
•Help a USDA Rural Development Help a USDA Rural Development complex build and/or maintain a complex build and/or maintain a
garden!garden!•Donate plants, supplies, or time!Donate plants, supplies, or time!•Call Aimee Omohundro at USDA Call Aimee Omohundro at USDA
Rural Development for more Rural Development for more information about getting information about getting involved! (785) 271-2726involved! (785) 271-2726
Kerri Ebert Kerri Ebert serves as the Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Coordinator. Ebert stated that SARE offers youth grants for demonstration projects that provide hands-on experience in exploring sustainable agricultural issues and practices. Multi-family housing complexes looking to create raised beds, or developing other innovative gardening techniques, could contact possible youth partners like: FFA, 4-H, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts for possible gardening projects. Youth groups that partner with complexes could be eligible for a youth grant for up to $400 through SARE. Applications are due in January 2012, and if you have questions about SARE contact Ebert at: 785-532-2976.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=PEOPLES_GARDENnavid=PEOPLES_GARDEN
http://www.pubinfo.usda.gov/gardenhttp://www.pubinfo.usda.gov/garden
Start a People’s Garden Today!Start a People’s Garden Today!
Aimee Omohundro USDA Rural Development 785-271-2726 [email protected] Staab RRHAK/Project Manager 785-628-2660 [email protected] Bishop Homestead Affordable Housing 785-364-0110 [email protected] Coltrain KState Extension 785-325-2121 [email protected] Wilson KACEE 913-287-6879 [email protected]
People’s Garden Contacts:People’s Garden Contacts: