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In order to provide a place in our community for people to experience God's goodness and provision first hand, Covenant Community Garden began in October of 2006. Membership is open to all people who want to work together to grow fresh, healthy organic fruits and vegetables. The cost is $10 per year (this includes a lidded compost bucket for home use) and a time commitment of 1 hour per week or 4 hours per month of work in the garden. No experience is necessary. Members receive a share of the harvest-of-the-day each time they work. Any excess is donated to the local food pantry and to the food ministries of the church. Currently, the garden is 50' x 100' and consists of 12 raised beds for vegetables, a large cross-shaped herb garden, a bean teepee, a sunflower house, and 5 flower beds. In 2007, we grew over forty varieties of herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables. There is a picnic area and a grassy field for playing surrounding the garden. The spring-fed pond that is our water source is nearby down a wooded walking trail. Next year we will also have honeybees. We are especially interested in sharing the garden with children and young people. Over 200 kids, age 3-5, from the church preschool come to the garden to observe, plant, and learn. We have kid-sized tools and playthings for when they get tired of gardening. Youth and children of all ages are welcome - parents, this is great way to get your kids to try new veggies! While we are growing good things to eat in the garden, we also seek to build community relationships. Periodically, we have meals together, and we participate together in other events outside the garden several times a year. In July of 2007, we worked in local neighborhoods and collected over 200 bags of non-perishable food items for the local food pantry. A community-wide Tomato Sandwich Party was held at the garden to celebrate the success of the food drive. We also held a pancake supper fund raiser: a fun evening of food, games, crafts, and fellowship. The garden is a wonderful place to meet new people, make friends, and share our celebrations and our concerns with each other. In 2008, Covenant Community Garden will be part of a new network of community gardens called PING, Piedmont Inter-faith Network of Gardens. PING has received a grant from Heifer USA to provide a series of 6 workshops on topics related to community gardening. We will be working to build relationships, encourage each other in our gardening efforts, and provide support for those interested in starting gardens in their own communities in Central North Carolina.
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Garden Info:
Garden Type: Neighborhood Garden
Setting: Suburban
Host Org: Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church
Handicap Accessible: no
Size: 5000
Number of Plots: 1
Avg Plot Size: 0
Year Founded:2006
Languages:
English, some Spanish
Structures:
tool shed,
picnic area,
bean tee pee,
sunflower house
Amenities:
bathrooms and kitchen at the church,
running non-potable water
Association Memberships:
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