NHCA Community Garden Education

The Cause

Every Year the Northern Hills Community Association (NHCA) hosts educational gardening events for residents of the NHCA these are hosted at one of our two community gardens. Where there are foodbank plots, pick lots for those in need in the community, where they learn more about the environment, gardening, take part in gardening, form relationships with fellow botanist enthusiasts, partake in charity by growing food in food bank plots, and grow healthy food for themselves and their families. The NHCA has been successful with these events in the past and is wanting future events to be successful. For continued success, we are needing funding for a plant swap, garden education workshops, education talks, Tables Partners; for community engagement like bee-keeping facts, sign unveiling, update signs for the two community gardens, and have an unveiling at Spring Fest (or harvest fest). The funding from this grant will allow us to have these events for Harvest fest 2021, Spring Fest 2022, And Harvest Fest 2022. These festivals play a pivotal role in our community in allowing us to come together to help the environment and each other. With these much-needed supplies and updates, we are hoping that these festivals will help bring our community more together especially considering the past years of community disconnect from the pandemic.

Who Will it Benefit?

One of the marvelous things about these festivals is the number of people it benefits. First is experienced gardeners since this gives them the chance to teach and network with a fellow gardener. Second, are the gardeners with little to no experience; these festivals create a welcoming environment where there is no silly question. The third is the community residents of the NCHA since this gives them the perfect opportunity to socialize and educate themselves about the environment. This will also positively impact the environment; by having more people learn how to properly take care of mother earth. Finally, are those that are less fortunate. The seed swap allows novice or resource-restricted gardeners to plant and grow their own food without any financial hassle; compound this with the plots specifically allocated for the food bank and the pick lot that allows those in need to freely pick the food they need from the gardens. These festivals become beneficial for those down on their luck.