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Fourth Season at the Roosevelt Community Garden
The Roosevelt Community Garden celebrated its fourth year on April 1, 2021. The Garden has become more than just a place to grow organic fruits, vegetables and herbs; it also is a place for gardeners to come together, to share and learn from each other. Situated in the hamlet of Roosevelt on a 10,000 square foot lot, the Garden boasts 49 raised garden beds, a garden library, picnic tables and two tool sheds. It’s open from sunrise until sunset April until November. During the growing season, gardeners and volunteers join forces to plant, weed, water and grow a variety of crops. They share in the bountiful harvest and grow food to share with community members in need. During these difficult times, the Garden is also helping to fight food insecurity. This was the original idea for the garden, but that notion became much more critical throughout the weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Garden has created a sense of community. Neighbors are working together, getting to know one another, caring for each other, building new kinds of relationships and creating a more unified community. Many thanks to Nassau County for making this opportunity available to the community. Special thanks to the volunteer Master Gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County for leading many of our educational programs in person or online. Their lifelong love of gardening and agricultural expertise continues to be an invaluable resource for the Garden and its members. To volunteer or for more information about the Garden, please contact Andrea Millwood at [email protected]. More information about the Garden can be found online at www.northshorelandalliance.org/rcg. Special Thanks to Edrington Brands for Supporting the Roosevelt Community Garden We are most grateful to Marc Bromfeld and Edrington Brands for their generous $10,000 donation to help enhance our Garden and ensure that it is sustainable for another year. This spring, a wooden gazebo with aluminum roof was installed to create a more comfortable seating area for Garden members and volunteers to socialize and for educational programs. The gazebo will also bring warmth and character to the garden and provide shade for those working in the summer heat. A portion of the proceeds will also be set aside for programs in 2022. We hope the community finds great enjoyment in the space provided. Special thanks to Jill DeGroff, one of the first individuals to sign up to volunteer at the Garden in 2018, for spearheading this donation. We are most appreciative and grateful for her support.
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Roosevelt Community Garden Impact
Now entering our third year, The Roosevelt Community Garden kicked-off the growing season on April 22nd (Earth Day) with an annual clean up of the garden and distribution of plants and seeds to gardeners to start their gardening. This year, we are pleased to continue our partnership with the Roosevelt Public Library and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County to provide garden workshops and hands-on demonstrations to help gardeners and members of the community to succeed at growing food. The Land Alliance also remains grateful to Nassau County for their work to build the garden and create more access for community members to grow their own organic food. Healthy, local food enhances not only gardeners’ quality of life, but also their community environment. A series of educational workshops were scheduled for early spring, but due to the COVID 19 pandemic, these activities were postponed. For more information about the Garden, please visit us online at www.northshorelandalliance.org/rcg. 2020 Earth Day Event and Annual Clean up Earth Day 2020 Earth Day 2020 Earth Day 2020 Testimonials “The Garden is a superior community asset. Please continue your good work.” ~Daphne Adedeji/Gardener “I love the community garden, it helps me find calmness and feel connected to the earth especially during these challenging times when we are in the midst of a pandemic. It’s nice to see others in the community. Everyone sharing and learning about gardening is a healthy way to connect with others and building lasting friendships. ~ April Diane/Gardener “One of the best reasons to have a garden is to teach children where food comes from. How it’s supposed to look and taste. We have loved our experience with this community garden and we’re looking forward to many more years!” ~ Julia Schilling/Gardener “The Roosevelt Community Garden is a great addition to the community.” ~ Silinda Hickson/Community Member “I had a wonderful experience as a first-timer. I learned a lot and members were very helpful throughout the growing season. Thumbs up!” ~ Dimas Rodriguez/Garden Member “I truly believe that this project will help to usher in much-needed transformation and economic revitalization to our community. …We may be facing some hyper-inflation as indicated by the increased prices for goods and the community garden may be a means to protect vulnerable populations such as the elderly, homeless and orphans in Roosevelt by setting aside a portion of the harvest from the garden to donate to these vulnerable people.” ~ Michelle Avery/Community Member Children getting Involved at the Garden Ulysses Byas Elementary School Student planting at the Garden New Bookshelve stacked with book from the Book Fairies. Garden members passing on their knowledge Onsite Garden Manager Keno Williams working with kids C’Anna Millwood Volunteer Peter Meleady and Roosevelt Middle School Student Annual Presentation at the Roosevelt Public Library with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County CCE of Nassau County presentation
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