GROW COMMUNITY TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION GARDEN

The Grow Community Teaching & Demonstration Garden's purpose is not only to teach how to grow fruits and vegetables, but also agribusiness courses to start your own cottage industry, health fairs, special events, guest speakers, culinary arts, cultural programs, and more.

The garden converted 6600 ft. of abandoned, littered, property that was a magnate for trash and debris, into a viable community asset. The garden is enclosed by a 6ft. tall galvanized fence with 12-ft gate, 15 raised planter beds (to accommodate the aged, infirmed, and disabled), a children's area with age appropriate garden beds, a 26 x 36 x 14ft. teaching pavilion to host classes and community events. A 20 x 20 ft. "Serenity pond" is planned for senior citizens to provide a place for rest, relaxation and to help ease isolation experienced by so many seniors. The children's area includes "Jack and the Beanstalk growing walls, sensory area to attract butterflies and yard art to add interest, and white sand to ensure a safe, viability place to play as they learn.

The teaching garden is unique and was not designed as a traditional "community garden" where participants lease space to grow their own crops. Instead, it's purpose is:
- Teach participants how to grow and propagate, seasonal crops
- Teach agribusiness to help participants start their own cottage industry (e.g. beekeeping, candle making, preserving, etc.)
- Workshops will be held by experienced, master gardeners
- Agribusiness classes will be held by successful agriculture entrepreneurs
- We will teach about the environment (in collaboration with Archbold Biological Station)"
- We will teach how to shop, budget, and select fruits and veggies
- We will teach canning and how to preserve fruits/vegetables
- We will teach hydroponics
- In collaboration with North South Institute, veterans and their family members may earn a stipend for completing agricultural coursework
- We will teach organic gardening and pest control
- We plan to host health fairs at the garden
- We plan to teach healthy cooking classes hosted by health-care professionals and chefs
- We plan to distribute any produce to local food banks
- Any fruits and/or vegetables grown on fences and used as landscaping for the garden will be free for any interested person to take and eat
- All classes are FREE to anyone interested in attending
- We will include signage for self-directed tours that will enable anyone to enjoy the garden's educational programs when classes are not in session
- Educational brochures and pamphlets will be distributed