COMMUNITY GARDEN … In its very first year the Archbold Community Garden is well on its way to accomplishing its goals. Garden president Abby Pennington (right) gave her report at the last meeting of the 2022-23 Archbold Rotary year on Friday, June 23. She also highlighted some of the organization’s future goals for the community garden that’s located next to the Scout Cabin in Ruihley Park. The program was arranged by Karla Ball (left).
Archbold Community Garden president Abby Pennington told Archbold Rotarians that the community garden has already accomplished many of the goals that the organization set for itself in its first year and by the end of the growing season will likely have accomplished all of its goals.
The garden is located near the east entrance to Ruihley Park near the Scout Cabin.
Pennington explained that the Archbold Community Garden is a non-profit organization with a multi-faceted strategy to achieve at least six objectives: Create a welcoming outdoor place that encourages community involvement, teaches adults and children how to care for a garden and make healthy food choices.
Also: Provide a place for relaxation and rejuvenation, a place where the community can take pride in what is planted, tended and harvested, and establish sustainable gardening practices while promoting beauty and growth for the community.
A teacher in the Pettisville school district, Pennington, is excited that the organization plans to offer classes and events that teach those strategies.
In fact, some classes have already been offered. To find out more about upcoming events she encourages people to check out their website and Facebook page.
For the first year, the group set nine goals — five of which have already been accomplished.
Those goals that have been accomplished include: create garden beds, establish a water collection system that will sustain the gardens, place permanent signage by the garden and get a specific street address, create an inviting space and create a family space.
The other goals for the first year are works in progress that haven’t yet been completed. Those include: a storage shed, composting, a pollinator plot, and completing a successful harvest.
She explained that water collection started fine as some 200 gallons were collected from Scout Cabin roof drainage.
However, with little rain recently, that supply has been depleted and the village has helped replenish their water needs.
Future goals include installing sidewalks and pathways that are wheelchair friendly, fencing around the garden area, adding plots for individuals to use, adding native shrubs, grasses and flowers, and a full schedule of classes, workshops and community events (although some classes are already scheduled and listed on their website).
Pennington added that the organization is always looking for persons who are willing to serve on their committees.
Anyone who wishes to volunteer, donate or ask questions about the garden, can look at the website (archboldcommunitygarden.org) or send them an email to archboldgarden@gmail.com.