North Liberty community garden nears fundraising goal

NORTH LIBERTY - With about $10,000 left to raise, officials striving to gather the funds needed to create a North Liberty community garden are on pace to achieve their goal by next month.

Tina DuBois, director with the North Liberty Community Pantry, said the first three months of fundraising have drummed up about $28,000 for the 9,600-square-foot teaching garden.

'It's about where we should be, it takes some time at the beginning to get some momentum going,” she said. 'It's really great that we've had the community support.”

Pantry officials have until Dec. 15 to reach The Wellmark Foundation's full match grant of $38,500.

If the North Liberty City Council approves at its Tuesday meeting, the community garden could be seeing a big boost in funds.

On the council's agenda is the consideration of a $4,000 contribution to the garden project, made by then-Mayor Gerry Kuhl. The council will vote on the proposed contribution Tuesday.

The pantry also will host a Nov. 23 fundraising event from 2-4 p.m. at the pantry and next door First United Methodist Church of North Liberty, 85 N. Jones Boulevard. The event will host kid's activities, a pie tasting and pumpkin throwing contest, DuBois said.

As for the garden, work to prepare the site began Sunday, with volunteers clearing the acres of sod and adding compost. Before winter, officials will cover the garden with straw until planting begins next spring.

When completed, the garden will include perennials, a rainwater collection system and teaching patio.

All produce harvested from the garden will supply fresh food to low-income families through the pantry while also offering the opportunity to learn about planting and harvesting plants, said Forever Green owner Lucy Hershberger, who has been involved with planning the garden.

'One of the things I love about this is it's really a community garden, our hope is people who are utilizing the food pantry will be able to work together with me and others for an opportunity to garden,” Hershberger said. 'It really is a whole community project and I just love that idea.”