Hey everybody,
Really enjoyed meeting with everyone this morning. I got a little bit of reserach done and the most incredible resource turned up. A friend of mine heads up the local YMCA, and he would like to come talk to us about ways to make the process of getting our community gardens up and running.
Chris Pealer is a long-time social activist with lots of connections in elementary and secondary schools in the area. He also has experience working with our Monroe-West Monroe beaurocratic system. Hopefully, he be able to help us get out project on line more efficiently, since he knows his way around Monroe's services, parks and rec dept, administration, liability insurance, and other stuff we haven't even thought of yet.
He's also an accomplished fund-raiser and is willing to loan us his staff. How cool is that. Let me know what you think!
Veronica
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Here's how Boston does it ...
Boston created a mechanism (Article 33) by which any public land could be designated an Open Space, without the restriction of terms like "park" or "garden."
This is from the preamble:
... Land can be given the OS designation, however, without the simultaneous designation of a particular subdistrict, such as "park" or "garden," where the desired subdistrict designation is yet to be determined. This system instills flexibility into the
regulation of open space.
That sounds like a really good idea. Let the neighborhoods decide what they want to do with the empty public land that directly affects them.
Here's Boston's article.
This is from the preamble:
... Land can be given the OS designation, however, without the simultaneous designation of a particular subdistrict, such as "park" or "garden," where the desired subdistrict designation is yet to be determined. This system instills flexibility into the
regulation of open space.
That sounds like a really good idea. Let the neighborhoods decide what they want to do with the empty public land that directly affects them.
Here's Boston's article.
Meeting with city officials
If you can, join Mike Roberts for an informational meeting with the Department of Community Affairs at 10 a.m. Monday in the Monroe Civic Center.
Here's a handout from the Community Food Security Coalition with tips for meeting with city officials to get things done.
We've been bounced from department to department -- everyone happy to hear from us, happy to help, happy to pass us on to the next office. We are at risk of being happied right out of the chance to get Monroe Community Gardens up and growing. It is a shame, but as we work to get the rights to use city-owned land for the citizens of the neighborhoods surrounding the land, we are going to have to fight (or, if not fight, at least push) City Hall. That will require skills and group effort. It will require political strength, because the bureaucracy is being forced to consider new ideas (new for them, anyway). As we find more of tips for growing political strength, we will post them here.
If you find any information, please email it to monroegardens@gmail.com, so we can share it.
Here's a handout from the Community Food Security Coalition with tips for meeting with city officials to get things done.
We've been bounced from department to department -- everyone happy to hear from us, happy to help, happy to pass us on to the next office. We are at risk of being happied right out of the chance to get Monroe Community Gardens up and growing. It is a shame, but as we work to get the rights to use city-owned land for the citizens of the neighborhoods surrounding the land, we are going to have to fight (or, if not fight, at least push) City Hall. That will require skills and group effort. It will require political strength, because the bureaucracy is being forced to consider new ideas (new for them, anyway). As we find more of tips for growing political strength, we will post them here.
If you find any information, please email it to monroegardens@gmail.com, so we can share it.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The power of YouTube
If you find something that can be used to educate or market community gardens, please send a link to monroegardens@gmail.com
Here's one from Alberta, Canada. It runs about six minutes.
Here's one from Alberta, Canada. It runs about six minutes.
A couple of reminders ...
1) We will meet at Lea's (4th and Louisiville Ave.) at 9 a.m. Sunday to stay in touch and plot strategies. Toby and Emy have been kind enough to make a space for us. Thanks.
2) Mike Roberts has a 10 a.m. informational meeting with Community Affairs Director Johnny Reily on Monday to explore options, one being that the city turn the garden sites over to the parks and recreation department. Reily's office is in the Monroe Civic Center complex and you are invited to attend.
3) If this thing doesn't get off the ground in the next two weeks, we will press hard for a fall planting. That doesn't mean you have to miss a growing season. Even apartment dwellers can find someplace to grow.
2) Mike Roberts has a 10 a.m. informational meeting with Community Affairs Director Johnny Reily on Monday to explore options, one being that the city turn the garden sites over to the parks and recreation department. Reily's office is in the Monroe Civic Center complex and you are invited to attend.
3) If this thing doesn't get off the ground in the next two weeks, we will press hard for a fall planting. That doesn't mean you have to miss a growing season. Even apartment dwellers can find someplace to grow.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Update from March 25 city council meeting
Monroe Director of Community Affairs Johnny Reily approached the MCG contingent before this evening's City Council meeting and steered them away from speaking. His suggestion made sense. Before we approach the council, we should meet with him to discuss the issue. A meeting has been set up for 10 a.m. Monday at Reily's office.
At issue, at this point, is one of liability. There is concern that this project will put the city at risk for a suit if someone should get hurt whilst gardening. (The fact that the city is at risk from an empty, junky lot, or that the costs of keeping the lot from being a junk yard might be more than the cost for extra insurance didn't come up ... and probably won't if other avenues can be arranged.)
The fact that Reily sought the group out is encouraging in one regard. The administration is aware of our efforts, but we are also getting a taste of the bureaucracy. So far, we have been in contact with the beautification director, the city attorney, the mayor and the director of community affairs. We are working our way through the maze.
Mike Roberts has this report from this evening's events:
Hi Bob,
I have a meeting scheduled Monday morning at 10 am at the dept. of parks and recreation to discuss our community garden project and see what our options are.
I will also go and talk to the group at Black Bayou on Sat. to see if they can help if we need a nonprofit group to get involved.
According to the city attorney, our options are:
1.) create a nonprofit group ourselves.
2.) use someone else's nonprofit number as a subgroup.
3.) have the city incorporate the land into the city park system for liability purposes.
Any contact names and numbers for other groups to get involved, please give me names and numbers.
This is still not a dead issue. Even if we wait to start in the fall and do all the legwork now. We may even be able to have a couple of sample lots at each location to show what it could look like.
Volunteer,
Mike Roberts
At issue, at this point, is one of liability. There is concern that this project will put the city at risk for a suit if someone should get hurt whilst gardening. (The fact that the city is at risk from an empty, junky lot, or that the costs of keeping the lot from being a junk yard might be more than the cost for extra insurance didn't come up ... and probably won't if other avenues can be arranged.)
The fact that Reily sought the group out is encouraging in one regard. The administration is aware of our efforts, but we are also getting a taste of the bureaucracy. So far, we have been in contact with the beautification director, the city attorney, the mayor and the director of community affairs. We are working our way through the maze.
Mike Roberts has this report from this evening's events:
Hi Bob,
I have a meeting scheduled Monday morning at 10 am at the dept. of parks and recreation to discuss our community garden project and see what our options are.
I will also go and talk to the group at Black Bayou on Sat. to see if they can help if we need a nonprofit group to get involved.
According to the city attorney, our options are:
1.) create a nonprofit group ourselves.
2.) use someone else's nonprofit number as a subgroup.
3.) have the city incorporate the land into the city park system for liability purposes.
Any contact names and numbers for other groups to get involved, please give me names and numbers.
This is still not a dead issue. Even if we wait to start in the fall and do all the legwork now. We may even be able to have a couple of sample lots at each location to show what it could look like.
Volunteer,
Mike Roberts
Monday, March 24, 2008
Here's what the plots might look like
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The difference is that the inside growing space is about 86 inches and there is a waste of 10 inches down the middle for the footpath. Our plots would be 48 inches on the inside, easily reached from both sides.
Don't forget to get folks out to show support at the Monroe City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 25. The pre-council meeting starts at 6 p.m. so try to get there a little early so you can sign in to speak your mind on the subject.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Planting in a square-foot garden
One of the beautiful things about a square-foot garden is that it takes a lot of the guess work (or need for experience) out of planting. There are 16 small plots in each 4x4 square and from one to 16 plants per square, depending on the plant.
By travelling back across the Internet to Journey to Forever, even a beginner can find the proper spacing for each of the desired plants.
Plant spacing guidelines
We can also visit the original square-foot gardener himself, Mel Bartholomew, for assistance.
By travelling back across the Internet to Journey to Forever, even a beginner can find the proper spacing for each of the desired plants.
Plant spacing guidelines
We can also visit the original square-foot gardener himself, Mel Bartholomew, for assistance.
Setting up a square-foot garden
MCG is looking at a modified square-foot garden approach for the plots. Each plot will be 4-foot by 12-foot, with four feet of path space between each plot.
Because square-foot gardening is so established as a method, it is an easy approach for beginning gardeners to adopt -- a large issue in a community garden. It is also an attractive garden to look at from the road, which is another issue for community gardens.
Here's a resource on how to prepare raised beds for your garden plot from the web site Journey to Forever.
Building a square-foot garden
As we find gardening tips and resources, we will bring them to your attention. If you find any, please, bring them to ours by emailing them to monroegardens@gmail.com.
Because square-foot gardening is so established as a method, it is an easy approach for beginning gardeners to adopt -- a large issue in a community garden. It is also an attractive garden to look at from the road, which is another issue for community gardens.
Here's a resource on how to prepare raised beds for your garden plot from the web site Journey to Forever.
Building a square-foot garden
As we find gardening tips and resources, we will bring them to your attention. If you find any, please, bring them to ours by emailing them to monroegardens@gmail.com.
Here's what the mayor has (and an outline for the rest of us)
This was sent by Mike Roberts to Mayor Jamie Mayo.
________________________________________
Outline For Monroe Community Gardens :
WHERE: PROPOSED SITES / ROCHELLE AVE PUMP STATION AND MARX STREET PUMP STATION LOTS
(BACAUSE OF PLANTING TIME FRAMES, THESE LOCATIONS ARE GREAT FOR A START, AND CAN GROW TO OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE FALL AFTER FIRST TWO LOCATIONS ARE WORKING PROPERLY)
WHY : THEY ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED TO AREAS WITH CHURCHES,WATER FAUCETS, SEINIORS, AND PARKS THAT ARE VISSABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY
WHO OPERATES: ALL PROJECTS ARE TO BE A PART OF THE MONROE BEAUTIFICATION DEPARTMENT PROJECTS, WITH A DIVERSE COMMITEE PUT TOGETHER FROM THE TWO AREAS THAT ARE TO BE INVOLVED.
MIKE ROBERTS(HOME SWEET HOME TV), BOB TEAGUE (THE NEWS STAR) SHANE DEVAULT (OUCHITA CITIZEN), MELLISA MILLER, KASH SCHRIEFER, EMY TRAYLOR, DREW FLUKE, ROBERT RIDDLE, MONROE HOUSING AUTHORITY MAKEEN PLASA SENIORS, NEAREST GRADE SCHOOL,BOY SCOUT TROOP, ARCO,IS THE BEGINNING COMMITEE FOR THE ROCHELLE SITE.
WE WILL BEGIN SEARCH FOR THE MARX STREET COMMITTEE LOCATION AFTER SITES ARE CONFIRMED.
PROSPECTS ARE: PASTOR OF TRUE VINE BAPTIST CHURCH, ROSEVELT WRIGHT, GIRL SCOUT TROOP OF TRUE VINE CHURCH, BOY SCOUT TROOP TOP GUN, MONROE HOUSING AUTHORITY SENIOR ASSISTED LIVING MEMBERS, NEAREST GRADE SCHOOL, ETC.
WHEN TO BEGIN: ASAP IN APRIL DUE TO TIME FOR PLANTS TO GROW.
FUND RAISING: A SEED COMPANY WILL LET THE GROUP SELL SEEDS, BULBS, AND PLANTS TO THE COMMUNITY AND RECEIVE A 45% PROFIT. www.fundraisingwithflowers.com , ALSO PEOPLE CAN DONATE MONEY AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE BEAUTIFICATION DEPARTMENT, DEDICATED FOR THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.
THE GARDENS WILL BE USED IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS A SQUARE FOOT GARDEN, WHERE ALL WHO APPLY WILL GET A 4 FOOT BY 12 FOOT AREA TO PLANT THERE OWN GARDEN. THIS IS TO BE DONE THROUGH A SIGN UP LOTTERY IN CASE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH LAND TO USE INSTEAD OF A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS IN ORDER TO BE FAIR TO EVERYONE.
ALSO A LIABILITY WAVER MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL WHO VOLENTEERS OR HAS A GARDEN AREA.
THERE ARE SOME GRANTS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE USDA AND OTHER GROUPS (SEE ATTACHED) FOR THIS TYPE OF ENDEVER AND CAN BE APPLIED FOR THROUGH THE BEATIFICATION DEPARTMENT.
AFTER TALKING WITH 3 LOCAL MASTER GARDENERS, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO DISC UP THE LAND WITH THE SQUARE FOOT GARDENING CONCEPT. WE WILL HOWEVER NEED TO HAVE THE LAND MOWED AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE ONE TIME AND WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST OF THE TIME WITH VOLENTEERS AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF TRUCKLOADS OF MANURE FROM THE ZOO DELIVERED TO BOTH SITES, FOR COMPOSTING.
THE COMMUNITY GARDENS WILL BE ABLE TO ALLOW CHILDREN, SENIORS, HANDICAPED, ARCO, SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, AND ANYONE ELSE TO REAP THE HARVEST OF A GARDEN.
THE SQUARE FOOT SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR SOME RAISED BEDS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS AND SENIORS WILL NOT HAVE TO BEND OVER WITH A RAISED BED.
THE ADVANTAGES:
1.) IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE IN THE GARDEN.
2.) PROVIDES A CATALYST FOR NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
3.) STIMULATES SOCIAL INTERACTION.
4.) ENCOURAGES SELF RELIANCE.
5.) BEAUTIFIES NEIGHBORHOODS.
6.) PRODUCES NUTRIOUS FOOD.
7.) REDUCES FAMILY FOOD BUDGET.
8.) CONSERVES RESOURCES BY USING RECYCLED PRODUCTS.
9.) CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION, EXERCISE, THEROPY, AND EDUCATION.
10.) REDUCES CRIME.
11.) PRESERVES GREEN SPACE.
12.) CREATES INCOME OPERTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
13.) PROVIDES OPPERTUNITIES FOR INTERGENERATIONAL AND CROSS – CULTURAL CONNECTIONS.
ATTACHED IS ALSO A LETTER OF SUPORT FROM THE NATIONAL AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION.
MIKE ROBERTS / VOLENTEER
MONROE COMMUNITY GARDENS
355-9106
_______________________________
If you would like a copy of the letter of support from the NACGA, send an email to monroegardens@gmail.com and one will be sent to you.
If you would like to be involved in this effort, show up Tuesday at the Monroe City Council's pre-council meeting (starts at 6 p.m. so show up a little early and sign up to voice your support.) You can also send an email to monroegardens@gmail.com and show up for one of the planning meetings. These are 9 a.m. Sundays (skipping Easter Sunday) at Lea's on the corner of Louisville Avenue and 4th Street.
________________________________________
Outline For Monroe Community Gardens :
WHERE: PROPOSED SITES / ROCHELLE AVE PUMP STATION AND MARX STREET PUMP STATION LOTS
(BACAUSE OF PLANTING TIME FRAMES, THESE LOCATIONS ARE GREAT FOR A START, AND CAN GROW TO OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE FALL AFTER FIRST TWO LOCATIONS ARE WORKING PROPERLY)
WHY : THEY ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED TO AREAS WITH CHURCHES,WATER FAUCETS, SEINIORS, AND PARKS THAT ARE VISSABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY
WHO OPERATES: ALL PROJECTS ARE TO BE A PART OF THE MONROE BEAUTIFICATION DEPARTMENT PROJECTS, WITH A DIVERSE COMMITEE PUT TOGETHER FROM THE TWO AREAS THAT ARE TO BE INVOLVED.
MIKE ROBERTS(HOME SWEET HOME TV), BOB TEAGUE (THE NEWS STAR) SHANE DEVAULT (OUCHITA CITIZEN), MELLISA MILLER, KASH SCHRIEFER, EMY TRAYLOR, DREW FLUKE, ROBERT RIDDLE, MONROE HOUSING AUTHORITY MAKEEN PLASA SENIORS, NEAREST GRADE SCHOOL,BOY SCOUT TROOP, ARCO,IS THE BEGINNING COMMITEE FOR THE ROCHELLE SITE.
WE WILL BEGIN SEARCH FOR THE MARX STREET COMMITTEE LOCATION AFTER SITES ARE CONFIRMED.
PROSPECTS ARE: PASTOR OF TRUE VINE BAPTIST CHURCH, ROSEVELT WRIGHT, GIRL SCOUT TROOP OF TRUE VINE CHURCH, BOY SCOUT TROOP TOP GUN, MONROE HOUSING AUTHORITY SENIOR ASSISTED LIVING MEMBERS, NEAREST GRADE SCHOOL, ETC.
WHEN TO BEGIN: ASAP IN APRIL DUE TO TIME FOR PLANTS TO GROW.
FUND RAISING: A SEED COMPANY WILL LET THE GROUP SELL SEEDS, BULBS, AND PLANTS TO THE COMMUNITY AND RECEIVE A 45% PROFIT. www.fundraisingwithflowers.com , ALSO PEOPLE CAN DONATE MONEY AND SUPPLIES THROUGH THE BEAUTIFICATION DEPARTMENT, DEDICATED FOR THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.
THE GARDENS WILL BE USED IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS A SQUARE FOOT GARDEN, WHERE ALL WHO APPLY WILL GET A 4 FOOT BY 12 FOOT AREA TO PLANT THERE OWN GARDEN. THIS IS TO BE DONE THROUGH A SIGN UP LOTTERY IN CASE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH LAND TO USE INSTEAD OF A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS IN ORDER TO BE FAIR TO EVERYONE.
ALSO A LIABILITY WAVER MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL WHO VOLENTEERS OR HAS A GARDEN AREA.
THERE ARE SOME GRANTS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE USDA AND OTHER GROUPS (SEE ATTACHED) FOR THIS TYPE OF ENDEVER AND CAN BE APPLIED FOR THROUGH THE BEATIFICATION DEPARTMENT.
AFTER TALKING WITH 3 LOCAL MASTER GARDENERS, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO DISC UP THE LAND WITH THE SQUARE FOOT GARDENING CONCEPT. WE WILL HOWEVER NEED TO HAVE THE LAND MOWED AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE ONE TIME AND WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST OF THE TIME WITH VOLENTEERS AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF TRUCKLOADS OF MANURE FROM THE ZOO DELIVERED TO BOTH SITES, FOR COMPOSTING.
THE COMMUNITY GARDENS WILL BE ABLE TO ALLOW CHILDREN, SENIORS, HANDICAPED, ARCO, SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, AND ANYONE ELSE TO REAP THE HARVEST OF A GARDEN.
THE SQUARE FOOT SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR SOME RAISED BEDS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS AND SENIORS WILL NOT HAVE TO BEND OVER WITH A RAISED BED.
THE ADVANTAGES:
1.) IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE IN THE GARDEN.
2.) PROVIDES A CATALYST FOR NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
3.) STIMULATES SOCIAL INTERACTION.
4.) ENCOURAGES SELF RELIANCE.
5.) BEAUTIFIES NEIGHBORHOODS.
6.) PRODUCES NUTRIOUS FOOD.
7.) REDUCES FAMILY FOOD BUDGET.
8.) CONSERVES RESOURCES BY USING RECYCLED PRODUCTS.
9.) CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATION, EXERCISE, THEROPY, AND EDUCATION.
10.) REDUCES CRIME.
11.) PRESERVES GREEN SPACE.
12.) CREATES INCOME OPERTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
13.) PROVIDES OPPERTUNITIES FOR INTERGENERATIONAL AND CROSS – CULTURAL CONNECTIONS.
ATTACHED IS ALSO A LETTER OF SUPORT FROM THE NATIONAL AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION.
MIKE ROBERTS / VOLENTEER
MONROE COMMUNITY GARDENS
355-9106
_______________________________
If you would like a copy of the letter of support from the NACGA, send an email to monroegardens@gmail.com and one will be sent to you.
If you would like to be involved in this effort, show up Tuesday at the Monroe City Council's pre-council meeting (starts at 6 p.m. so show up a little early and sign up to voice your support.) You can also send an email to monroegardens@gmail.com and show up for one of the planning meetings. These are 9 a.m. Sundays (skipping Easter Sunday) at Lea's on the corner of Louisville Avenue and 4th Street.
Friday, March 21, 2008
UPDATE on the city front
Mayor Jamie Mayo has looked at the idea and is sending it to his legal team on Monday.
This means we need to get as many people as we can to turn out for the Monroe City Council pre-council meeting to show support for the idea. It wouldn't hurt to have information from towns our size (under 50,000) that have already done this, so we can preempt thoughts that community gardens on city land are a) too complicated and b) too much of a risk.
If you happen to be surfing the Internet and find a site, email it to monroegardens@gmail.com and we will put it in the list of "resources".
The council meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall (across the street from the Monroe Civic Center). The pre-council meeting is at 6 p.m. It is important to try to get to the pre-council meeting because that is an open forum. Tell your neighbors. Bring your friends. Help grow this idea.
This means we need to get as many people as we can to turn out for the Monroe City Council pre-council meeting to show support for the idea. It wouldn't hurt to have information from towns our size (under 50,000) that have already done this, so we can preempt thoughts that community gardens on city land are a) too complicated and b) too much of a risk.
If you happen to be surfing the Internet and find a site, email it to monroegardens@gmail.com and we will put it in the list of "resources".
The council meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at City Hall (across the street from the Monroe Civic Center). The pre-council meeting is at 6 p.m. It is important to try to get to the pre-council meeting because that is an open forum. Tell your neighbors. Bring your friends. Help grow this idea.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thinking about growing something in Monroe
The MCG is made up of Monroe residents who want to help the city of Monroe set up a program to turned some of the unused property owned by the city into productive community gardens.
Ideally, we'll do this quickly enough to plant by the middle of April, but that will require getting the Monroe City Council to sign off on the idea. The Monroe Beautification Director, Jacqueline January, has already voiced her support for the idea as part of the Monroe Proud initiative by the city. Now we need to get it on the agenda for the next meeting (which is at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.)
If we can do that, we will need public turnout as a show of political will.
Here's where we stand on the project so far. Ms. January and Mike Roberts have been talking. She has said it should be possible to have land at the Rochelle Pump Station and the Marx Street Pump Station committed to the project. These plots of land already have water access. The city should also be able to mow the land so we can set up individual plot. There is also talk of creating compost stations using grass clippings and leaves already collected by the city, as well as manure from the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.
Mike has also been in communication with the local homebuilders association about providing scrap construction material and expertise to help build the plots.
We will continue to post information, including first drafts of plans for the actual execution of the Monroe Community Gardens project, as we have it.
If you would like more information, or if you would like to help organize the gardens, send us an email to monroegardens@gmail.com. Our next meeting is at Lea's at the intersection of Louisville Avenue and 4th Street on the Sunday after Easter at 9 a.m.
Please consider joining us.
Ideally, we'll do this quickly enough to plant by the middle of April, but that will require getting the Monroe City Council to sign off on the idea. The Monroe Beautification Director, Jacqueline January, has already voiced her support for the idea as part of the Monroe Proud initiative by the city. Now we need to get it on the agenda for the next meeting (which is at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.)
If we can do that, we will need public turnout as a show of political will.
Here's where we stand on the project so far. Ms. January and Mike Roberts have been talking. She has said it should be possible to have land at the Rochelle Pump Station and the Marx Street Pump Station committed to the project. These plots of land already have water access. The city should also be able to mow the land so we can set up individual plot. There is also talk of creating compost stations using grass clippings and leaves already collected by the city, as well as manure from the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.
Mike has also been in communication with the local homebuilders association about providing scrap construction material and expertise to help build the plots.
We will continue to post information, including first drafts of plans for the actual execution of the Monroe Community Gardens project, as we have it.
If you would like more information, or if you would like to help organize the gardens, send us an email to monroegardens@gmail.com. Our next meeting is at Lea's at the intersection of Louisville Avenue and 4th Street on the Sunday after Easter at 9 a.m.
Please consider joining us.
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