Monday, February 24, 2014

The Survey Says …

            During the last pantry days at Stone Soup Food Pantry we surveyed the patrons to determine what they would like in their pantry garden.  Seventeen surveys were completed representing about 50 people.  The top four picks were: Tomatoes, Green Beans, Cucumbers, and Melons; all received more than 10 votes.  We will make sure theses fruits and veggies receive special priority in the garden.  We also will have room for plants that received fewer votes such as Lettuce, Carrots, and Lima Beans.  In addition, we identified at least six more people who are open to helping out in garden this coming season.  Come on spring!
            Friends in Commons met on February 8th at Gloria Dei Church.  The weather was somewhat kinder than in January and 11 people came together to enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, sweet rolls and conversation.  Wonderful and diverse ideas were shared about the garden, getting it going and what it will mean.  I came away with a growing understanding that Katie’s Commons is so much more than a garden.  It is indeed a Commonwealth, a group of people building and nurturing community.  Out of our meeting came the beginnings of a mission statement: Katie’s Commons: Sowing the seeds of community, food, knowledge, hospitality, and beauty.   It seems that the Commons will have at least three subsets: garden, education, and hospitality.  Those who may not feel called to “serve and preserve”[1] the land in the production of food may find a call in teaching or offering hospitality to the community.
            The next gathering in the Commons will be on March 15th at 10:00 a.m. at the Mulberry Public Library.  Our theme is tentatively entitled: Sharing Seed, Stories and Zucchini Muffins.  This will be a chance for local gardeners to meet, learn about Katie’s Commons, share saved or left over seed and trade stories and knowledge about gardening in Mulberry.  What seeds and practices work in our neighborhood?  What was less than successful?  What might one do differently in the future?
            I confess that in many ways I am just “wingin’ it.”  I realized there is much I do not know as I cobbled together a budget that realistically represents to grantors what we hope to do.  In addition to the use of land, a storage building and access to water given by Gloria Dei, a guess is that we will need about $2200 to build beds, fill them with soil, buy tools, irrigation equipment, etc.  We have received several generous cash donations which have given us the “seed” money to get things rolling.  In addition, to date the Commons has applied for three grants.  We have received the gift of seed from Seed Savers Exchange.  Two other applications, one with Kitchen Gardeners International and one with Home Depot, are under consideration.  We will probably hear from them in the next six weeks or so.  I intend to continue to seek and apply for grants and gratefully welcome donations.
            This is such an exciting time.  I am grateful for the interest and support of so many people with whom I hold so much in Common.
           



[1] a perhaps more accurate and contextually appropriate translation of Genesis 1:28.  See Scripture, Culture and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible by Ellen Davis