Garden projects receive grant funding to help get plants growing

Gardening projects soon will be going in the ground all over Kalamazoo.

Recently, 16 projects received grants from $350 to $850 to help pay for raised beds, plants and seeds, garden tools, fencing and other supplies.

The funds were donated by Kalamazoo Community Foundation and Irving S. Gilmore Foundation and decisions regarding who should be recipients were made by Fair Food Matters, a Kalamazoo-based non-profit organization that works to strengthen neighborhoods, improve community health and support small businesses through local food.

The program is in its third year, however, this is the first that Fair Food Matters reviewed grant applications.

The 16 projects to receive 2011 Community Garden Grants are:

• Beauty from Ashes Community Garden, West G Avenue at Waldorf Street, Kalamazoo.
• Come-Union Garden, 532 Autumns Way, Kalamazoo.
• Comstock Community Center, 6330 King Highway, Kalamazoo.
• Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. Community Garden, corner of Rose and Lovell Streets, Kalamazoo.
• Douglass Community Garden, 1000 West Paterson, Kalamazoo.
• Edible Edison, 1607 Egleston Boulevard, Kalamazoo.
• Historic Stuart Neighborhood Garden, 703 West Willard, Kalamazoo.
• Ka’desh Community Garden, 1339 North Krom Street, Kalamazoo.
• Kalamazoo Central High School Community Garden, 2432 North Drake Road, Kalamazoo.
• Mt. Zion Community Garden, 120 Roberson Street, Kalamazoo.
• Oakwood Community Garden, 2529 Springmont Avenue, Kalamazoo.
• Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary School Garden, 2321 South Park Street, Kalamazoo.
• Salvation Army Community Garden, 1700 Burdick Street, Kalamazoo.
• Schoolcraft UMC Community Garden, US 131 at Clay Street, Schoolcraft (formerly Hoppy’s Garden store).
• Tree of Life Urban Garden, 111 Dixie Avenue, Kalamazoo.
• Vine Neighborhood Community Garden, east side of Westnedge (between Dutton and Walnut).

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Paul Stermer, Fair Food Matters