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Vermont Community Garden Network (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
To give residents access to fresh produce, the Vermont Community Garden Network installed garden beds at two affordable housing complexes in St. Johnsbury and Newport. Over several building days, volunteers worked to clear old wood and debris, cut boards to construct the raised beds, fill them with soil and plant garlic bulbs for residents to harvest in the spring. To ensure the crop's success, they also held a demonstration to teach residents how to plant, care for and harvest garlic. In addition to improving residents' physical health through nutritious food, organizers say the gardens will support mental health, too, by combating social isolation. The Network continues to host workshops and provide seeds, tools and other support to gardeners at both housing complexes.
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See More Projects Like This One
Fries, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will turn underutilized property beside the town farmers market into a community garden with 10 raised vegetable beds, rain barrels and two ADA-compliant benches, which will be available for all town residents to use.
Akron, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The project will create a new urban farm for the neighborhood, which is home to African and Bhutanese immigrant families, with individual garden plots and elevated beds for older gardeners.
Ranson, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will add heritage apple trees to a community garden, activating an unused space in the floodplain. Once planted, a trail with a bench will connect the new orchard to the rest of the gardens and an indoor walking path popular with older adults.
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Lyndon, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: This project will enhance Bandstand Park by adding a pollinator garden, vine trellis, and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables. This will improve accessibility, provide comfortable seating, and create an intergenerational space.
Wheelock, VT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: This project will conduct three walk audits along a busy route in Wheelock Village to identify walking hazards and potential crosswalk locations and then share results at a community meeting that will be open to residents, business owners and local officials.
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