Note: This blog is a companion to Galion Garden Group
GGG is Aquaponics oriented, yet many of the
topics there may be of value to you.
GGG is Aquaponics oriented, yet many of the
topics there may be of value to you.
*****
Why should we pursue a community gardening program in Galion?
Matt Damon's voice-over presents the global reasons that should act as a wake-up call for those not yet convinced that we, as a community need to be more self-reliant. A positive step would be to develop healthy food sources for our citizenry.
LOCAL NON-GMO, NON-GEO, FRESH HEALTHY FOOD
Solve Hunger Worldwide by Creating Local Food Abundance
Tools for creating a viable civic program are on the Welcome Page. The administrators of our community would serve us well by establishing an urban garden policy and providing a location for the first educational and experimental site under the Parks and Recreation committee's authority.
OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE SHOWN US HOW
The Denver Urban Garden program supports over 120 community gardens
and have shared how they have implemented their program, much of which is documented on the Welcome Tab of this blog. The following video shows their
research results of benefits from urban gardening. Their organizational methods and garden rules on within the Welcome Tab gives us procedures to enact. We can do this in Galion by following their lead.
A Garden in Every Neighborhood
City of Galion, Ohio
301 Harding Way East, Galion, OH 44833, 419-468-1857
CURRENT STATIS [Sept.-Oct. 2013]
Mayor Tom O’Leary has been very supportive of the concept of a Galion community garden. He participated in two Parks and Recreations Committee meetings where Galion Garden Group made presentations, and has had private meetings with several advocates.
Shirley Clark; Chairwoman, and Missy Harris; member, of the Parks and Recreations Committee are actively seeking an appropriate city-owned property for such a project. Michael McNeill of the Galion Resource Center has presented a vision for the activity.
GCG & GGG Admin will continue to work with each of them in this pursuit, however the purposes of both of these blogs is to present and advocate a wide range of additional possibilities, sustainable practices and long-term implementations.
I am hopeful that a city-endorsed community garden of food & flowers will grow into a cooperative broad effort including farmers' markets, a community processing kitchen, a food bank, agency meals, local fish and meat producers and handicraft vendors. Until then, we have the opportunity to open relationships/partnerships with new or established organizations for the betterment of our community.
It would be of value, in Admin's, (that's me [rdh]) opinion to also promote personal and neighborhood front and backyard gardens, use of vacant; currently unused private properties and buildings as well as city and county right-of-ways as possible locations.
In that regard, the Zoning and Planning Committees as well as the Parks and Recreation Committee needs to be cooperatively involved in that urban gardening may/could include more than just growing fruits, vegetables and flowers. A City Council Galion Urban Gardening Policy needs to be created.
What livestock is/will be allowed within the city? The waste products of chickens, rabbits, ducks, fish, worms and other critters contribute to self-sustaining organic food production and is the impetus for the question. Rather than have an 'oops' later this topic warrants being addressed in advance of citizens' volunteer commitments.
The new government under the leadership of the mayor, has, as promised pre-election been open to hearing from the public and being transparent in city's policies. I for one, having some limited experience with government officials, have come away from my current experiences and observations with a positive outlook about the direction and future of Galion.
Further actions and accomplishments will be added on this page and posted to the Galion Community Gardens blog.
PREVIOUS CONSIDERATIONS
[Reprints from Galion Garden Group...]
Community Garden Meeting at Galion Resource Center
Oct. 4th, 2013
Michael McNeill, Director of GRC hosted a meeting today.
He was well-prepared with a print-out overview of what needed
to occur for a Galion Community Garden to become a reality.
It was noted that several individuals and groups within Galion had
recently expressed their interest in a similar project and that all
those people needed to be brought together in a productive effort.
The City Parks and Recreation Committee has an open forum meeting set for Monday, Oct.7th, at 5 p.m. in the reception area at City Hall to address citizens' ideas and concerns within the committee's purview.
GGG will be there. Join us!
...and
Galion Parks & Recreation Committee Open Forum
Oct. 07-2013 Report
I attended one of the most positive civic meetings I have ever experienced. The committee, Shirley Clark and Missy Harris joined by the Mayor, Tom O’Leary were open to and supportive of the suggestions by the citizens attending.
Oct. 07-2013 Report
I attended one of the most positive civic meetings I have ever experienced. The committee, Shirley Clark and Missy Harris joined by the Mayor, Tom O’Leary were open to and supportive of the suggestions by the citizens attending.
The
funds available to the committee were announced. The
mayor stressed that the funds should be used for the thoughtful best purposes
to provide park activities to youth and seniors alike. Some in attendance
stressed that particular activities could bring income into the city from
outside. Building community pride was expressed. A task force of citizens was
suggested to move from a ‘could we?’ discussion to a ‘this is how we can’
mindset.
The committee members are already looking for a suitable
location for a community garden, which GGG hopes to be part of. The need
for a location for teen dances was discussed. The possibility of the city
helping community organizations like the Golden Age Center was presented.
Our new
form of government is doing itself proud. I’ve got a good feeling!
Both the Galion
Inquirer and Galion Live were represented
so I expect that each will cover the meeting and the details.
NOTE: There
was a previous P & R Committee meeting in September where GGG Admin
requested a positive consideration by the committee for the establishment of a
community garden and that an aquaponic element (building) be included in the
overall planning.
[End of Reprints]
More to come ...
The case for Local Self-Reliance
Stacy Mitchell is a researcher and writer at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), a national nonprofit organization that challenges corporate consolidation of the economy and champions policies to nurture community-scaled enterprise.
Stacy directs two ILSR initiatives on independent business and community banking. Her analysis has helped inspire many grassroots campaigns and provided empirical support for changes to local and state policy.
More to come ...[End of Reprints]
More to come ...
~GCG~
The case for Local Self-Reliance
Stacy Mitchell is a researcher and writer at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), a national nonprofit organization that challenges corporate consolidation of the economy and champions policies to nurture community-scaled enterprise.
Stacy directs two ILSR initiatives on independent business and community banking. Her analysis has helped inspire many grassroots campaigns and provided empirical support for changes to local and state policy.
~GCG~
25 Community Gardens in Galion in a year?
In addition to endorsing a city sponsored community garden, could the city also promote and publicize independent gardens by local residents and organizations?
How Many Community Gardens?
How Many Community Gardens?
Collaborate – Cooperate - Communicate
Website for L2020 Go to Action Groups/Community Gardens
More to come ...
~GCG~
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