Press release from Cooperation Humboldt:
In its third year, Cooperation Humboldtâs mini garden initiative has brought gardens and garden mentorship to 100 Humboldt County families. The program provides small vegetable gardens for families with children aged eight and under as well as ongoing support and education to help the recipients grow more of their own food. Gardens were delivered as far south as Garberville, as far north as McKinleyville, and inland to Hoopa.
As the spring 2022 season concludes, Cooperation Humboldt staff and volunteers report installing 100 gardens, bringing their three-year total to 500 mini gardens. Â
Feedback from recipients has been overwhelmingly positive. Angie Valetutto says âWe love our mini garden. My daughter has enjoyed watching the fruits and veggies grow. Itâs been inspiring to watch her trying the different foods that we are growing. Our whole family is loving the freedom of picking foods out of our garden to use with our meals.âÂ
âItâs amazing to witness the kidsâ investment in the gardens when they help to plant them. They are eager to water and excited for upkeep and harvesting! This small gesture really can spark the beginning of a personâs connection with and stewardship of the world around us,â shares garden installer Argie Munoz. Another installer, Tony Scardina, agrees â âThe highlight for me was seeing the excitement on the childrenâs faces. Iâm happy to be planting the seeds for a new generation of gardeners!âÂ
The results of a poll completed by recipients (response rate ~50%) reveals the following encouraging impacts:Â
This yearâs installations were made possible through a contract with Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services using funding from their Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention fund as well as through a grant from Coast Central Credit Union. Support was also provided by Open Doorâs Health and Wellness gardens, Arcata Sunrise Rotary, Garberville Rotary, Piersonâs Building Center, The Mill Yard, Sylvandale Gardens and Deep Seeded Farm.Â
Cooperation Humboldtâs food team also provides Little Free Pantries to facilitate neighborhood sharing, publishes an annual Community Food Guide, plants free fruit trees for the community, and offers a variety of educational opportunities relating to food production and local food sovereignty. The teamâs next public event will be an Edible Garden Tour on August 20th (see website for details).Â
In its third year, Cooperation Humboldtâs mini garden initiative has brought gardens and garden mentorship to 100 Humboldt County families. The program provides small vegetable gardens for families with children aged eight and under as well as ongoing support and education to help the recipients grow more of their own food. Gardens were delivered as far south as Garberville, as far north as McKinleyville, and inland to Hoopa.