The John Day Community Garden is preparing for its third season providing a space for people to come together and grow their own organic produce. Even in our third season, we are often asked what is a community garden? Simply put, it is a shared area for community members to garden.

However, the Community Garden is much more than just rented space for its members. It is a welcoming environment for people of all ages to learn about gardening and develop relationships with other community members.

Perhaps new members may not initially understand the deep roots put out by the Community Garden. But the John Day Community Garden is growing beyond simply being rented space and is encouraging better nutrition, seasonal eating, increased awareness of where food comes from, and teaching skills in self-reliance. In short, we hope to establish a greater sense of community through work parties and the act of gardening itself.

Last season we held work parties that taught about organic gardening and water conservation. Through these work parties gardeners are given the opportunity to learn more about gardening and help with the upkeep of both their own garden space and the community-tended plot. The community tended plot is one of the most rewarding ventures the Community Garden has undertaken. We are able to grow local organic produce for donation to the Grant County Food Bank. This season we plan to provide a plentiful variety of potatoes and winter squash to the Grant County Food Bank.

This year we are hoping for the largest turn out to date of old and new gardeners. In the past, in addition the nominal rental fee, gardeners were required to attend work parties and donate time to the Community Garden. To further grow the volunteerism that sprouted during the first two years, this year we are providing a list of volunteer duties for each gardener to sign up for at registration. Volunteer duties include activities like choosing a week to weed the community-tended plot, maintaining the compost bins, or helping harvest food for the Grant County Food Bank. Summer is a busy time for many, so we have duties gardeners can assist with from spring through fall.

During 2012, in addition to the nominal rental fee (which has not increased with inflation like everything else in this world!) each gardener is expected to donate just four hours of their time somewhere in the course of the 7 month garden season.

Our opening day orientation is April 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will also be planting potatoes in the community tended plot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about the garden or becoming a community gardener, please email us at johndaycommunitygarden@gmail.com or join us on Facebook. We hope to hear from you and see you on the 14th of April!

Shelley Banks is the John Day Community Garden chair.