Well, most of our plots are now assigned. Last I heard it was 15 out of 24 plots, but that was at least a week ago, and there were names working through the system. This week, we’re making contact with the Fair Oaks Community Garden, which has a 2 or 3 year waiting list for plots. Enough of those folks live close by that I suspect we’ll be full by the end of the month. Nothing has come of the contact with the scout troop, so far. But we do have one plot for a senior facility (I understand we not only waived the annual “water” fee, but bought some plants and seed for them). It’s great to see folks out working in their gardens most any time I happen by the church.
Another thing that’s happened is that money has been donated towards our expenses (upwards of $5,000 in startup expenses so far) in memory of Lukas Keye — the 20 year old son of 2 of our members, who died earlier this month. Somewhere in the ballpark of $1,000 has been donated in his memory, I’m told. We plan to put up some kind of a permanent memorial marker in his name. And we might do that for others as time goes on.
Much remains to be done. The rules have to be finalized. Someday we may have storage for garden tools. We’ll want more water outlets. We hope to expand to about 74 plots in 2 more phases. And I think we’d like to fence in the perimiter eventually. I think someone said this would be at least another $25,000 to $30,000 in expenses down the road to get set up. But we have time. And we’re trying for some grants. And things are well underway. And I’m quite pleased with where we are now.
The Sunset Juggler (formerly The Dragon's Mouth) 