Growing a garden of love
For the past 15 years, Prineville Presbyterian Church has hosted a community garden.
Mike Wilson, Pastor for Prineville Presbyterian Church, indicated that the garden is a ministry as part of the church. He said the garden has been adaptive to the needs in the community.
"It started as a place for individuals to come and grow for themselves," said Wilson.
He added that shortly after it was started, they were able to partner with the local women's homeless shelter, Redemption Ministries. The garden was used to grow vegetables for the ladies in the shelter and they also learned through cooking classes how to incorporate them into recipes.
"More recently, it has returned to people growing—in many cases—for themselves," said Wilson.
He emphasized there are some gardeners who are growing vegetables for the Share Your Bounty Program through Crook County on The Move.
"They are trying to get fresh vegetables into the diets of people who rely on food aid," he clarified.
Each growing season, they rent the plots out to the community. Anne Chouimard is the garden manager and has been in the role for three years. This season, they have all their plots rented out.
"There are two people who have been there ever since this first started," indicated Chouimard. "They are still gardening every year. Some people stay for a few years, some come for a season."
She pointed out that the garden is an organic garden, using organic methods. They provide the water, compost and soil.
"Right now, it's weed season," she said with a smile.
Currently, the plots are $30 each.
"Most people are happy with what they got," Chouimard added.
Altogether, there are 20 plots. Most of the gardeners have at least two plots, and each is responsible for weeding, harvesting and cleaning up at the end of the season.
"We are happy to offer this portion of our land to the community's betterment," Wilson concluded.
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Prineville Presbyterian Church
Want to know more about the Community Garden through Prineville Presbyterian Church?
Contact Mike Wilson: 541-447-1017
Address: 1771 NW Madras Highway, Prineville, OR 97754
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