Fostering a community garden

NORTH LIBERTY - A quality garden provides an annual supply of produce for those willing to put in the effort.

In North Liberty, area officials are hoping to not only generate an impressive supply of local food for low-income families, but also provide an educational outlet for those interested in growing their own produce.

To achieve their goal, officials with the North Liberty Community Pantry are seeking donations through Dec. 15 to create a 9,600-square-foot teaching garden to grow free, healthy food for low-income families while encouraging healthy food choices in the community.

Tina DuBois, director of the North Liberty pantry, said, if done right, the garden will serve the community for years to come.

'This is something that we want to impact the community for decades,” DuBois said.

The pantry will host a free informational session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the North Liberty Community Center, 520 West Cherry St., to raise awareness and solicit donations for the community garden.

All told, the pantry is seeking $38,500 in donations by Dec. 15 to match a challenge grant from The Wellmark Foundation for the community garden. So far efforts have drummed up about $15,000 in donations, DuBois said.

Stephanie Perry, interim director with The Wellmark Foundation, said North Liberty's community garden was one of 44 projects proposed and 15 chosen to receive grants from the foundation in Iowa and South Dakota.

During the selection process, proposals emphasizing a lasting impact on the community stood out, Perry said.

'This project shows a sustainability because they can do the garden and the other part we liked was the teaching component,” she said. 'It demonstrates sustainability for generations to come.”

So much more than a garden, the community project aims to provide educational opportunities on nutrition, food-preparation and garden planning along with hands-on participation in soil preparation, planting, harvesting, preparing and preserving food.

DuBois said plans are taking shape to prepare the land, located just next to the community pantry on Jones Boulevard, and begin planting perennials and annuals next spring. A half-time garden coordinator will likely be hired to ensure that the community garden maintains its momentum.

'We really feel like to be able to do this and do this well and long term - that is an essential part of the process,” she said.