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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
Indianapolis, IN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Indianapolis' Far Eastside neighborhood needed accessible, public green space. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful partnered with the Community Alliance of the Far Eastside to transform a vacant lot into a community orchard with native shade trees, benches, accessible pathways, nature play space and public art. The orchard and green space, which are adjacent to a community center, also feature raised garden beds, fruit trees, native shrubs and more than 700 native perennial plants. Educational signage informs visitors about the benefits of playing in nature and the role of native plants.
Stone Mountain, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will benefit people from diverse cultures, including new Americans, by enhancing two community farms and providing the opportunity to grow food for their families.
Eufaula, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will create a community garden equipped with at least five raised beds for growing flowers and vegetables, as well as three accessible benches. All the food grown there will be provided to local low-income families.
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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