practical and educational ideas for community garden

a* b*

              Anthony Belcher, Stony Kill Farm -
              Envir. Edu. Center, Wappinger Falls,NY

American Community Garden Association:
           Stony Kill Farm is a 756 Acre Env. Edu.
center with an agricultural section that consists of 7
cows, 6 sheep, some chickens and turkeys and about 7
or 8 INFORMALLY run community plots. The plots are
land that the Farm has allowed people to grow
vegetables on with minimum supervision. Also included
are 6-8 raised bed boxes constructed of timbers for
people with 'disabilities'.
     I feel the farm part of the center is
underutilized and have been discussing starting a
community garden there. It would have about 20 people
plus a farm manager (probably part time)to organize
the garden and schedule work assignments, ordering
seed, tools and other physical needs. 
     The purpose would be to show just how productive
intensive Vegetable gardening can be, in order to
create an appreciation  for agricultural land and
traditions in Dutchess County. OK.
     What I need from any of you are practical ideas
to make this garden more educational and interesting.
 (we plan on lhousing exhibits on 17th, 18th, and 19th
century Agri. in this area...grape presses, corn
shellers, and descriptions of past methods and new
techniques i.e. those applied to intensive veg.
farming. Any ideas. For the Garden besides just making
it very healthy and productive[maybe the biggest
attraction].???             
     Appreciate any tried and true methods to enhance
our proposed garden.    Anthony Belcher

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