People’s Garden in need of new management

Implemented in 2010, the People’s Garden, located at the USDA Service Center in Grant, has been a space for local citizens to come and grow fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers. However, the continuation of the garden is now in question.
According to Grant USDA Key Program Technician Rita Wallin, the USDA Service Center employees are ready to hand the management of the garden over to someone else. She is asking any individual or group who would like to take on the project to contact her. If no one takes over the management, the plots will not be utilized this year, she said.
“We are supportive of the community using the space, but we are at a point where we would like to see someone else or group come in and manage it,” Wallin said.
Management of the plots would include coordinating who is using the plots, keeping the plots watered, and, if desired, seeking grant funds to assist with purchasing plants for those who use the plots.
The garden area, just south of the USDA Service Center located at North Hwy. 61 in Grant, consists of eight plots, with the plots designated to a community member or group on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plots do not cost the public anything to use, Wallin said. Those who use the plots are responsible for planting, weeding and harvesting. In the past, the USDA Service Center worked with the United Methodist Church to apply for grant funds from The Perkins County Community Foundation Fund. With these funds, $20 was given to those utilizing each plot to assist in buying plants. Plants have also been donated by the local FFA group. The person or group who manages the plots would be responsible for coordinating any donations for the plots. Wallin said the People’s Garden account through USDA still currently has some money in it to be used as well.
Wallin said USDA will continue to provide shovels, trowels and tomato cages for the plots, and will allow the manager to use the center’s hose, sprinkler and timer to water the garden.
At harvest time, those who have planted produce are asked to use what they planted. The produce that is left will be distributed to the community, for example to the local food pantry or Food Box program, at the discretion of the manager, Wallin said.
A True Community Garden
Throughout the years, the People’s Garden has partnered with various groups within the community to bring the love of gardening and fresh produce to many. USDA had cooperated with Hugs N Teddy Bears Daycare to introduce children to new foods, and partnered with the University of Nebraska Extension for many different learning sessions. Specific events held included hay-bale gardening, a pollinator garden, a walk-through of the garden with a Master Gardener, and a “From Garden to Kitchen” seminars where the public learned what to do with the produce grown in their gardens. Wallin said it would be up to the new manager if they want to incorporate any similar programs at the garden.
Those who are interested in managing the plots this year, or who have questions for Wallin, are encouraged to call her at the USDA Service Center at 308-352-4747 Ext. 2, or email her at rita.wallin@usda.gov.