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Union Mine Organic Garden. Grant Writers: Lauren Cockrell & Allie Jones Physical Labor Specialists: Corey Harkins and UMHS Tennis Team Overall Advisor: Paul Cockrell. Purpose. To promote self-sustainability & community organization by working together to grow food
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Union Mine Organic Garden Grant Writers: Lauren Cockrell & Allie Jones Physical Labor Specialists: Corey Harkins and UMHS Tennis Team Overall Advisor: Paul Cockrell
Purpose To promote self-sustainability & community organization by working together to grow food To be outdoors and enjoy the bounty of our labor To appreciate the connection between the health of the natural world and the health of humans To inspire youth to take responsibility for their lives- to know where their food comes, their impact on the environment, and their role is in the local community.
Steps • Allie and Lauren -wrote the grant with budgeting assistance from Lauren’s dad • Organized a labor party - handed out pamphlets, distributed sign-up sheets, called to remind students about work days • Worked three (intense) days over spring break: • built six raised beds: 1/2 the wood donate from the Baer Family • filled the beds with top soil • dug 17 post-holes • put up fencing • built the gate
Further Steps • Set-up the Irrigation: drip system and timers • Collected/Transported manure: donated from the Harkins Family • Planted: we had a after-school planting party • Currently: caring for plants, checking-in at least every other day • Currently: harvesting, so far five zucchinis!
Budget • So far we have spent $1742.09, with a remainder of $757.91 • Big expenses were: • wood for beds (luckily half was donated) • top soil • posts • fencing • irrigation supplies • Future expenses: • fruit trees • a tool box • a greenhouse or the parts to make one • benches and other amenities
What made it possible? • Family support - my dad was the on-sight contractor, builder and expert, my mom got the food and brought the tunes, my brother made a computerized design • Community support - both close friends and people we barely knew came to help build and plant. The UMHS Tennis Team almost single-handedly dug all 17 post holes (we bribed them with donuts). • Donations and discounts • And of course...EDGABY and Funding
What does the future look like? • Immediate Future: Have a banquet as soon as there is enough food to harvest and possibly sell food at Farmer’s Market • Next Year: Possibly start plants in a green house, set-up compost, recruit students, plant trees, add benches • Future Years: Leave behind month-by-month instructions, build up a strong teacher support network, continue recruiting
Thank you EDGABY, Sacramento Region Community Foundation and the Sierra Health Foundation for helping make this project possible.