Community Garden
Community Garden
In spring 2003, Purdue Extension Howard County, Ivy Tech State
College, and the Howard County Master Gardeners Association joined
together to realize a dream. The groups worked together to create
a community garden—an outdoor laboratory—that has come to benefit
the entire community. The garden
started as the brainchild of Ivy Tech Chancellor Steve Daily and PU
Howard County Extension Educator
Rollin Machtmes and has grown to include members of Kokomo and surrounding communities. The land was donated
by Ivy Tech
supporters Don and Louise Thomas.
In 2004 the
Community Garden was also selected as a National Award winner for the
National Council for Continuing Education and
Training Exemplary
Community Service Program.
The Community Garden has produced the following which has been donated
to local charities.
2003
Community Garden harvested 4,744 pounds of produce with 750
volunteer hours and given to nine charities.
2004
Community Garden harvested 21,739 pounds of produce with 1375
volunteer hours and given to eighteen charities. 2005
Community Garden harvested 16,181 pounds of produce with 1145
volunteer hours given to eighteen charities.
The AVA - Association for Volunteer Administration
puts a dollar value of $17.55 per hour for volunteer time. In
2005, the volunteers
of the Community Garden donated $20,094 in time that does not even
include the value of the donated produce. Everyone involved with
the Community Garden deserves a big THANK
YOU !!!
Helpful Agriculture Links
Master
Gardener Home Page
Community
Garden Page
Junior
Master
Gardener
Home Page