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Mission Statement
Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden's mission is to increase the awareness of good health and nutrition through growing one's own food while demonstrating sustainable gardening practices and strengthening neighborhood participation.
History
A brief overview of the project
The project is called the Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden (the garden) and it is an urban community garden of approximately 9000 SF (1/5 acre) in an east-side residential neighborhood in Wausau, along Second Street and adjacent to the Bridge Community Health Clinic.
With funding and volunteers from the community, the garden was created in the spring of 2011. The land donated by Bridge Community Health Clinic was cleared and beds were created with the help of the Home Depot Team and community volunteers. Twenty beds and two compost areas were constructed. A fence and shed were purchased for critter control and storage of tools and supplies for renters to use in cultivating their garden plots. Of the 20 plots, 17 were rented by community members in which over half are low-income. Three plots were use for donation to the Neighbor’s Place, 214+ lbs of produce were donated at the end of the season. A variety of vegetables were grown, including eggplants, corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, and herbs.
With the completion of the garden in May, educational classes were made available to plot renters and the community. Classes covered garden basics, food preparation, food preservation and light exercises. Educational classes were offered throughout the summer and into fall of 2011, over 37 community members attended. To end the season, a harvest fest was celebrated. Food and festivities were offered to community members with the garden being opened for self-tours, over 300 attended the event. The achievement of the Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden is due largely to the collaboration of 70 community organizations and individual volunteers.
The Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden will continue for another growing season in 2012. The 2012 growing season will consist of components of continual maintenance, education and expansion of the neighborhood gardens into other neighborhoods within Wausau. The garden enhanced a positive impact on health, nutrition, and quality of life of gardeners and the community. Education on garden basics to cooking what you grow and its benefits are important components of the program and classes will be offered to community members throughout the growing year of 2012. Watch for the education calendar coming soon, see special events page.
The project is called the Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden (the garden) and it is an urban community garden of approximately 9000 SF (1/5 acre) in an east-side residential neighborhood in Wausau, along Second Street and adjacent to the Bridge Community Health Clinic.
With funding and volunteers from the community, the garden was created in the spring of 2011. The land donated by Bridge Community Health Clinic was cleared and beds were created with the help of the Home Depot Team and community volunteers. Twenty beds and two compost areas were constructed. A fence and shed were purchased for critter control and storage of tools and supplies for renters to use in cultivating their garden plots. Of the 20 plots, 17 were rented by community members in which over half are low-income. Three plots were use for donation to the Neighbor’s Place, 214+ lbs of produce were donated at the end of the season. A variety of vegetables were grown, including eggplants, corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, and herbs.
With the completion of the garden in May, educational classes were made available to plot renters and the community. Classes covered garden basics, food preparation, food preservation and light exercises. Educational classes were offered throughout the summer and into fall of 2011, over 37 community members attended. To end the season, a harvest fest was celebrated. Food and festivities were offered to community members with the garden being opened for self-tours, over 300 attended the event. The achievement of the Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden is due largely to the collaboration of 70 community organizations and individual volunteers.
The Wausau 2nd Street Community Garden will continue for another growing season in 2012. The 2012 growing season will consist of components of continual maintenance, education and expansion of the neighborhood gardens into other neighborhoods within Wausau. The garden enhanced a positive impact on health, nutrition, and quality of life of gardeners and the community. Education on garden basics to cooking what you grow and its benefits are important components of the program and classes will be offered to community members throughout the growing year of 2012. Watch for the education calendar coming soon, see special events page.
