Our Proposal that was Unanimously Approved by the City Council Last Week

By Anne, April, Jamie, and James Whitaker assisted by HMG

Introduction

Beginning in April of 2007 we have volunteered teaching a hands-on gardening class, at the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center in DeFuniak Springs, using a 10’ x 12’ piece of ground adjacent to the north side of the old armory building. During the summer months we had anywhere from six to fifteen youth in the garden once a week. Unfortunately there just was not enough space for them all to participate. Despite this shortcoming the garden outperformed all expectations; yielding some beautiful flowers and enough sweet corn, tomatoes, eggplant, beans, tomatoes, and potatoes to cook up several hearty meals for our gardeners. We have been determined to find a larger area for the summer of 2009 and in our search have encountered the idea of a community garden that could include other citizen groups and individuals. We envision a place where young and old will gather to learn the science and skills of garden and grow fresh vegetables for local charity needs, as well as their own use.

Vision

Using the City of Apalachicola’s City Square Community Garden as a model (see attached sheet #1), we are asking the City Council to consider designating the empty lot west of the DeFuniak Springs water plant, on West Main Street and 12^th Street as a combined ornamental and vegetable garden composed of three sections (see attached sheet #2). One section will consist of several small plots, to be rented out seasonally for a nominal fee, to DeFuniak Springs residents who want a small garden to cultivate for personal use. The second section of the garden will consist of an educational garden for youth, citizen groups, and individuals who wish to participate in a worthy charity while learning about gardening. Citizens devoting their time to this garden would agree that education and community outreach are their main goals. Dividing the harvest among the participating groups will be an added benefit. All individuals participating in the educational garden will also contribute to the third section of the garden, the harvest of which will be donated to local charity organizations through Walton Cares Inc. and the Food Pantry. Designated volunteer instructors will take responsibility for the proper maintenance of both community-worked sections of the garden. Money collected from fees from the individual plots will fund (buy seeds and supplies for) the education and charity gardens. We want this to be a partnership between the city and as many citizens groups as possible. If interest grows beyond the size of the initial plot requested, and the garden proves to be a real benefit for the community, we envision the possibility of presenting a proposal to Walton County using the city’s successful community garden as a model. We acknowledge that such a project could be run by an independent organization on private land, but we believe this is an opportunity the city may not want to pass up, which is our reason for presenting it here (please see attached sheet #3).

Needs

In order to launch and manage this project we would need the city’s cooperation in acquiring the following:

• Use of the western half of the water tower lot
• A main valve/meter for irrigation
• Water for irrigation
• In lieu of insurance, the preparation of a Hold Harmless Agreement for citizens using the garden to sign
• A basic list of rules

Management

Additionally a fence, small tool shed, and signage (which conform to city code requirements) will be needed. These items will be purchased with private funds raised for the project (see attached sheet #4). Maintenance of the grounds will be the responsibility of members of the community garden and volunteers. Maintenance of a 15’ perimeter beyond the outside of the fence will be performed by Whitakers Yard Service,LLC. A volunteer chairperson will oversee the garden and will be accessible to update and communicate with city officials (see attached sheet #5).

Justification

• In 2007 the median household income for residents of DeFuniak Spring was $30,647, which is well below the Florida median household income of $47,804. 18.4% of DeFuniak Springs residents reported an income below the poverty level in 2007, which is well above the state average of 12.5%. With our country facing an economic downturn it is more difficult than ever before for low income families to be able to afford fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables. A community garden could help ease this problem in our city with a twofold approach. First fruits and vegetables from the community garden would be supplied to local food pantries and second a community garden would offer opportunities for low income residents to learn about gardening techniques, while having access to a plot of land, in order to become more self sufficient.
• Community gardens have been essential to the continuance of the American Dream during difficult times in our country’s past. During the World Wars “victory gardens” provided 40% of the produce in the United States. Community gardens also benefited citizens during the Great Depression. A contemporary variation on the victory garden could be a community “Peace” or “Hope” garden.
• We have all heard about the American Obesity Epidemic, which is caused in part by easy availability of cheap high-fat foods while fresh, cheap fruits and vegetables are far less abundant. A community garden help ease this problem in our city with a twofold approach. First fruits and vegetables from the community garden would be supplied to local food pantries and second a community garden would offer opportunities for low income residents to have access to a plot of land to grow vegetables, while working in the garden would provide opportunities for exercise.
• Encouraging residents of DeFuniak Springs to grow fruits and vegetables in a community garden would mean that less money would be spent on imported produce and more money would remain in Walton County, thus encouraging sustainability and helping to stabilize the local economy.
• Citizens learning and working in a community garden would benefit by learning other associated self-sufficiency techniques such as recycling, composting, and reducing water use.
• A community garden supported by the citizens of the city would serve as a wonderful example to our youth by exemplifying the values of hard work, charity, and fellowship.
• A community garden would encourage citizen involvement and pride in the city. This in turn would discourage vandalism of vacant city-owned lots being used as garden plots, which could save the city money on maintenance and security.
• Using one or more vacant city lots as community gardens will help preserve open spaces, prevent the accumulation of garbage and debris in these areas, and help control urban sprawl in our city.

Attachment #3

Dear Friend of the Community,

This letter is to thank you for your concern and service to the citizens of DeFuniak Springs and to inform you of the newest project by and for local residents. The (name here) Community Garden will open during the next few months and we need to raise $500-$800 for fencing, irrigation, supplies, a tool shed and signage. Would you be willing to help? The purpose of the garden is to provide valuable education for young and old, to provide quality fresh vegetables to our local food pantry, and to beautify the city. The City of DeFuniak Springs has provided the land and water for irrigation and all labor is being donated by citizen groups. If you would like to donate money, labor or supplies or give a discount through your business (garden tools, fencing, fence posts, irrigation supplies, tool shed, or materials for a sign, etc) it would be most appreciated! Please contact us at:

Thank you for your time.