1.07 acres of growing space, with the potential of 68 - 4x8 Hugel Beds, 14 Fruit Guild, 7 - 8x8 Large grow beds, 1 - 2x160 perennial flower beds, and 1 - 4x160 long grow space. There is space for community gatherings with the fire pit, pergola, and BBQ space. Located on the corner of 400 South and 350 East. Building begins 2022.
Raymond Community Garden (2022)
Background
In early of 2021, residents from the Town of Raymond asked about a community garden. Derek Melting Tallow began to collect support and acted on behalf of this support. Residents drafted a proposal that not only would establish a garden but one with the feature of being sustainable for the environment and people. We engaged town administrators who have had this resource on their radar for sometime and they were thrilled with the support and organization we would offer in creating and planning the Raymond Community Garden. With the guidance of town administrators, wisdom from local experts, and input from supporting organizations, we were able to successfully petition the Raymond Town Council to approve the use of town land and resources for the creation of the Raymond Community Garden.
In early of 2021, residents from the Town of Raymond asked about a community garden. Derek Melting Tallow began to collect support and acted on behalf of this support. Residents drafted a proposal that not only would establish a garden but one with the feature of being sustainable for the environment and people. We engaged town administrators who have had this resource on their radar for sometime and they were thrilled with the support and organization we would offer in creating and planning the Raymond Community Garden. With the guidance of town administrators, wisdom from local experts, and input from supporting organizations, we were able to successfully petition the Raymond Town Council to approve the use of town land and resources for the creation of the Raymond Community Garden.
Garden Design
The design of the RCG is unlike any conventional community garden, with features designed to mitigate climate change. Conventional community gardens are by nature accessible and help with personal food security. In designing the space to be resistant to climate change, we have also made it more optimal with growing food in a sustainable way. Secure Your Food (SYF) is providing the RCG with food systems design and planning to help provide food relief and education for all. The SYF garden system, cover and insulated garden beds will extend the growing season but also be married with natural growing process like the Hügelkultur (Hugel) Garden Beds and Fruit Guild Tree system.
The design of the RCG is unlike any conventional community garden, with features designed to mitigate climate change. Conventional community gardens are by nature accessible and help with personal food security. In designing the space to be resistant to climate change, we have also made it more optimal with growing food in a sustainable way. Secure Your Food (SYF) is providing the RCG with food systems design and planning to help provide food relief and education for all. The SYF garden system, cover and insulated garden beds will extend the growing season but also be married with natural growing process like the Hügelkultur (Hugel) Garden Beds and Fruit Guild Tree system.
|
The Hügelkultur Garden system utilizes resources in an efficient manner, provides for a healthy (biome) ecosystem, and is fruitful. Within the box space, the components are layered and breaks down into a good foundation for beneficial microbes, insects, and plants, setting the foundation for good plant growth. The result of the various layers results in good water management, less inputs with garden resources, and reliance on artificial fertilizers. This biome mimics nature in using all materials and has the benefit of sequestering carbon, instead of off-gassing into the environment as it decomposes. |
By Unknown author - http://permaculture.wikia.com/wiki/German_moundOriginally attributed to Wikipedia and marked as GNU Free Documentation License., CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76432568
|
|
The Fruit Guild is similar to the Hügelkultur System which emphasizes the relationships found in nature with the fruit tree providing the main input and complimentary plants which provide ground cover, pest management, nutrient accumulation and support, and attracting pollinators.
The main fruit tree planned is the Lautz Apple Tree, which is suited to our climate but also has some special features. Most apple trees take five years of growing before producing fruit. The Lautz takes three years and its fruit is tasty and will store well for six months. The companion plants will mostly be of the food nature with emphasis on perennial food plants. As seen as in the fruit guild diagram, plants will be planted within the drip line of the tree. |
The Town of Raymond is providing the land but also the water. The garden and fruit guild designs will allow us to be careful in the use of water. In addition to land and water, the town is helping with most of the components that make up the Hugel Beds with the exception of the SYF Garden Beds, compost, and topsoil. What is intriguing with this combination of systems, it may be possible to not only extend the growing season but possibly grow year round. We are going to find out!
Why not just a regular community garden?
Climate Change is impacting our systems and environment in a negative way, the manifestation of this is extreme weather events (EWE's). EWE's is weather that is extreme in nature, like storms, drought, or wind. It also is weather that occurs out of season, like frost, snow, or heat. Its impact is such that global food production has begun to decrease from EWE's. Keep in mind that as we head towards 2050 the global population will reach 9 billion people and to feed that need, present food production needs to double. With current food production this will not occur in a sustainable manner. In this context we find ourselves vulnerable as the conventional food system will find it more difficult to provide food for us and its vital we learn to grow our own food again.
Climate Change is impacting our systems and environment in a negative way, the manifestation of this is extreme weather events (EWE's). EWE's is weather that is extreme in nature, like storms, drought, or wind. It also is weather that occurs out of season, like frost, snow, or heat. Its impact is such that global food production has begun to decrease from EWE's. Keep in mind that as we head towards 2050 the global population will reach 9 billion people and to feed that need, present food production needs to double. With current food production this will not occur in a sustainable manner. In this context we find ourselves vulnerable as the conventional food system will find it more difficult to provide food for us and its vital we learn to grow our own food again.
Munich RE, 2019. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-global-catastrophes
What is striking about this insurance information graph is depending on which category you are observing, there is a 200-400% increase in events since 1980! There is no stabilization trend being observed which means we can, presently, assume that these events will impact our systems in an increasing manner. With these conditions in mind SYF has designed the RCG as an example of climate change adaptation with our food systems.
Who the garden will serve?
The Raymond Community Garden will provide food relief, showcase efficient and alternative ways of growing, and be a space for people to utilize these skills and build community. The Raymond Free Little Pantries is an organization that will benefit from the RCG with the providing of fresh fruits and vegetables during the extended growing season.
Ultimately, we would like the RCG help people be aware of growing but become active actors in their personal food choices. The RCG will be open to all residents and in participating your own food production secure your food but also increases your food sovereignty. The design of the RCG reflects the openness and inclusivity and be a space where those needing relief and those wishing to help can come together, commune, and grow as a community.
The Raymond Community Garden will provide food relief, showcase efficient and alternative ways of growing, and be a space for people to utilize these skills and build community. The Raymond Free Little Pantries is an organization that will benefit from the RCG with the providing of fresh fruits and vegetables during the extended growing season.
Ultimately, we would like the RCG help people be aware of growing but become active actors in their personal food choices. The RCG will be open to all residents and in participating your own food production secure your food but also increases your food sovereignty. The design of the RCG reflects the openness and inclusivity and be a space where those needing relief and those wishing to help can come together, commune, and grow as a community.
Why is this important?
The progression of our community is not unlike a hiking party. The party travels at the pace of the slowest within the group. The slowest is able to progress but does at greater cost due to low food security. Food security is your access to nutritional food. Those who experience old age, poverty, disability, and circumstance are generally not able to access good food. Also, we are participating in a food system which is structurally orientated for profit and efficiency, not for humans. In growing your own food, you not only improve your vulnerability but become an important actor in your food sovereignty. We uplift those who are vulnerable within our community. In allowing those who are vulnerable access to food which maintains or improve health, we believe this will set the stage for healthy individuals and families. This will benefit you and our community progression and we invite your participation. This garden is a start and hopefully, a build off for more in the future.
The progression of our community is not unlike a hiking party. The party travels at the pace of the slowest within the group. The slowest is able to progress but does at greater cost due to low food security. Food security is your access to nutritional food. Those who experience old age, poverty, disability, and circumstance are generally not able to access good food. Also, we are participating in a food system which is structurally orientated for profit and efficiency, not for humans. In growing your own food, you not only improve your vulnerability but become an important actor in your food sovereignty. We uplift those who are vulnerable within our community. In allowing those who are vulnerable access to food which maintains or improve health, we believe this will set the stage for healthy individuals and families. This will benefit you and our community progression and we invite your participation. This garden is a start and hopefully, a build off for more in the future.
Future development
Presently, the garden is designed in such a way it will provide fresh produce and a place to grow but supporting systems planned in the following years will enhance what the RCG will offer. An apiary, beekeeping, will provide honey. A chicken coop and run will provide protein for relief and manure for compost and garden. A root cellar/greenhouse will provide storage of fruits and vegetables, along with seedlings for year round growth for the garden and to the community. A wormery system in which worms will take food waste and make it into a bioavailable form of compost for garden and community use. A food waste program where people can donate their food waste for compost and wormery.
A community space is being conceptualized along the lines of a community kitchen. The community will be able to access the usual kitchen appliances for cooking, education, and community meals. We also envision the space will also have food preservation equipment like dehydrators, freeze dryers, oxygen absorbers, and storage. In this space we can educate people about food topics ranging from growing to harvesting to preservation.
Some of these efforts will require communal supervision and planning. In some cases, town bylaws will need to be changed in order to operate some of these supporting systems and we will work with Town of Raymond Administrators and Council to approve their use.
A community space is being conceptualized along the lines of a community kitchen. The community will be able to access the usual kitchen appliances for cooking, education, and community meals. We also envision the space will also have food preservation equipment like dehydrators, freeze dryers, oxygen absorbers, and storage. In this space we can educate people about food topics ranging from growing to harvesting to preservation.
Some of these efforts will require communal supervision and planning. In some cases, town bylaws will need to be changed in order to operate some of these supporting systems and we will work with Town of Raymond Administrators and Council to approve their use.
We invite you
The Raymond Community Garden is an example of a community coming together to not only address a need, food relief, but also improve their food security and food sovereignty. The growing of your own food makes you an important actor in your food system, this in contrast to being a participant and be subject to availability.
RCG webpage temporarily hosted by Secure Your Food
Click on the icons to connect with the RCG.
Annoucements
October 8, 2021
|
Sharpen your pencils and grab your markers, the RCG needs a logo! Take a picture or send an image of your drawing or sketch. Top 3 pics decided by RCG Committee.
1st prize - $25 and SYF 5 Gallon Self Watering Grow System 2nd prize - $15 and SYF 5 Gallon Self Watering Grow System 3rd prize - $10 and SYF 5 Gallon Self Watering Grow System Submission date is October 31, 2021 at midnight. Email [email protected] for questions and submissions. |
SYF 5 Gallon Self Watering Grow System ($35 value)
|