Building Community in the Community Garden
There is a little unknown gem in the city of Beaver Dam. It is the Community Garden located behind the Beaver Dam Community Library and the Beaver Dam Senior Center. This little patch has developed and blossomed through the efforts of many people. While it is located on city land, in theory, it belongs to everyone.
I’ve spent several hours there already this season, and always leave knowing a bit more about plants, my fellow gardeners, and even myself. I’ve learned that gardening can be, and in some cases, truly should be, a community event.
Gardening brings people together, we all have an interest in food, and so it creates an immediate connection with someone you’ve never met before. Every time I’ve visited the Community Garden, I’m always amazed that other people are just drawn over to say “Hi,” or to ask how the veggies are growing.
Even if you don’t know parsley from peas, this is the place to learn. There is no pretense or superiority when you are full of dirt and have been sweating in the sun for a while. Everyone is on equal footing by that time. There are no dumb questions, only the ones you were afraid to ask.
There is just something about the growing and sharing of food that can bring a community together. While there are many beautiful, flowering plants at the Community Garden, the produce is harvested and shared with a local food pantry. It is useful and beautiful all at the same time.
There are several programs this summer that use the Community Garden as a backdrop, I encourage you to stop in and see what is happening in that little plot of ground. As you walk through you will see art work from the adults, signs made by the young Keepers of the Garden, and a lot of hard work generously and willingly given by many different hands. Come build some community in the Community Garden.
Renee Wahlen Tillema
Filed Under UncategorizedMother / Daughter Contest Preview
See all the entries and winners for the mother/daughter look-a-like contest in the May issue of InSpire, but check out these entries below.
Community Supported Agriculture
Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation where the growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. CSA shareholders usually pay their “share” at the beginning of the growing season and receive weekly delivery or pick-up of the fresh vegetables and fruit produced on the farm.
This is a great way to support local farmers, get a taste of farm fresh foods, and learn more about where your food comes from. It was a pleasure to feature the CSA philosophy in the April issue of InSpire Magazine.
If you would like to learn more about local CSA opportunities, Columbus Community Hospital is hosting a CSA Fair on Monday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria. The event is open to the public. CSAs are a wonderful way to support local agriculture and eat fresh and healthy with the seasons, and Columbus Community Hospital hopes that this fair will inspire others to do the same.
Here’s to a great growing season!
Renee Wahlen Tillema
Welcome to Our New Web Site
Welcome to our new Web site. We are excited to celebrate our 5th anniversary of InSpire Magazine by unveiling our new look to the Web site as well as expanded sections. Those expanded sections include archived featured stories and archived recipes of the month. In the coming days, we will be posting more on this new blog as well as other new features.
We’re excited to have you join us back here for more updates in the future.
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