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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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Spokane, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will add 12 raised beds to an existing community garden and donate surplus produce to a local senior center and a church.
Moab, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project provided 25 kneepads to aid the Youth Garden Project's 250 volunteers.
Raymond, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Raymond Village Library hoped to create an accessible community amenity to foster intergenerational relationships. So they worked to create a community garden. Volunteers installed benches, shade structures and solar lighting, as well as a graded path and waist-high planters designed to be accessible for gardeners with disabilities. To make garden upkeep easier, they also added rain barrels and a drip irrigation system.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
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.
Littleton, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: This project will provide audiovisual technology and support to community groups meeting at the Littleton Community Center, allowing transportation-disadvantaged persons to remotely attend events.
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