Community Garden Gearing Up; Volunteers Welcome

Late April brings a buzz of activity at the county’s Maple View property as preparations begin for the planting of the 4-H Community Garden. The fertile plot at the site of the former county home along Rt. 872, east of Coudersport, has yielded a wide variety of crops as well as a hands-on learning opportunity for young people and adults over the past two years. The organizers are looking to build on that success in 2011. Here, Donovan Olney works the soil at the garden last summer.

The Community Garden is managed by Carrie Bowman, Cooperative Extension associate educator, and Dr. Bill Waltman, a Cooperative Extension horticulturalist who serves as agricultural coordinator. Over the first two years, some of the produce was donated to senior citizens, while some was sold to raise funds for 4-H.

Crops have been grown without the use of pesticides. Rotation, composting, and cover crops are being used to move the garden toward organic certification in the coming years. The project’s “hands-on” nature teaches children about the stages of plants, timing of insect arrivals, fungal diseases, pollination processes, and the role of rotations in soil health and quality. Local farmers have donated supplies and assistance. Many individuals have helped financially by purchasing garden seeds from 4-H club members.

Children and adult volunteers are welcome to become involved in this year’s garden. More information is available from Carrie  Bowman at Potter County Cooperative Extension; 274-8540.