Community garden contests

Dora Bopp passed along the following about a contest for middle school and high school students in Linn County, Iowa. The Community Garden Network of Linn County is looking for a new name and logo that brings attention to the group's efforts and inspires more people to develop community gardens.

One winner in each category (name and logo) will receive the following to start their own community garden:

- $100 garden center gift certificate from HACAP Community Development

- $25 gift certificate from ReStore (used tools, fencing, materials to build trellis, decorate garden...)

- $20 gift certificate from Frontier Garden Center

- Seeds, onion bulbs, misc garden supplies from Earl May

- Gloves and seed potatoes from Culver's

In addition to the prizes, valued at about $200 each, the winners will receive support from the Community Garden Network. The network includes IVRC&D who can offer garden design; ISU Extension who can offer garden expertise; HACAP Community Development can help connect volunteers to gardens and seek donations of tools, seeds and plants to share with gardens; and many other community members that serve to connect community to resources.

Here is more about the contest:

The Community Garden Network of Linn County invites Linn County Middle and High School students to participate in a name and logo contest. The creators of the selected name and logo (separate awards) that best reflect our vision - 'An engaged community that produces healthy food to benefit Linn County, Iowa' will be rewarded with the resources to start their own community gardens.

The Community Garden Network strives to support the efforts of community gardens.

VISION:  An engaged community that produces healthy food to benefit Linn County, Iowa.

MISSION:  The Community Garden Network supports efforts to grow and enhance access to fresh produce. The support efforts include:

• Connect people and resources
• Connect individuals and groups to the natural environment
• Assist to secure space, skills and plans for sustainable community garden projects
• Cultivate entrepreneurs and community action
• Educate the rewards of self-reliance, health and community

 Participating sponsors include: HACAP Community Development, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Frontier Garden Center, Earl May Garden Center and Culver's Landscape.

 Mail entries with name, grade and school no later than April 29th to:

 Dora Bopp, HACAP Community Development, 5560 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

 Selections will be made by May 5th. Please direct questions to Dora Bopp at 319.551.7182 or

dbopp@hacap.org.