San Isidro Labrador Community Garden

San Isidro Labrador
Community Garden

"The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all they that dwell therein."  Psalm 24:1




Contacts
Bob Weickert
919.929.0715
bob_weickert@mindspring.com

Loren Mitchell
562-335-4312
mitch4@pacbell.net

Mission Statement/Purpose
To cooperate with God, nature, and each other to produce organic food in a environmentally sustainable way, then distribute that food to persons needing it.

Goals

• to share good gardening practices, helping all members become competent organic gardeners.
• to share our good, locally-grown food as an alternative to mass-produced food. It is hoped that this experience will provide both incentive and skills for members to develop healthy and sustainable food habits, perhaps starting their own gardens.
• to build community within St. Thomas More by working together with a common purpose, by learning together, by having fun together.
• We want the garden to be developed and maintained so that it is productive, peaceful, and attractive.

Major Activities
Gardening is our major activity. This leads to harvesting, cleaning, and distributing. Several members also start garden plants from seeds in the weeks before they can be safely transplanted.

Major Accomplishments
Since the garden was started in 2013 we have been able to convert a “dead” patch of clay into a very fruitful oasis by regular additions of compost, mulch, and labor. In 2014 we completed the garden to its current boundaries, installed the deer fence, and began food distribution to the poor via STM staff. In 2015 - 2017, the garden has lived up to its promise by providing consistent produce both for distribution after the Sunday 1:30 PM Mass and for enjoyment by the members. Our garden shed was built by Steven Schwab as his Eagle Scout project. On Parish Pride Day in October, 2017, we moved our garden cistern so that it collects rain water from the roof of the shed for use in the garden. So, we use less OWASA water and thus put fewer chemicals in the soil. In 2020, we will continue to develop the garden as a model of Care for Creation, as a demonstration of how even a small space can provide year-round yields of fresh produce when managed in an organic and sustainable way. This gentle work helps create a wonderful sense of community among the participants.

Major Accomplishments 2020-21

• Even during the pandemic we continued to work the garden, safely outdoors.
• We distributed 1000 lbs of our organic produce on Sundays after the 1:30 P.M. Mass.
• Gardeners also benefitted from produce during times when not sufficient to hold a distribution.

Meeting Frequency

We gather weekly, on Saturday morning, from approximately 9:00 – 12:00 or any part thereof.  At times weekday work is needed, for example to water or to harvest.

Meeting Venue
The “meeting” is actually a work event in the garden.

Estimated Time Commitment for Volunteers
The anticipated time commitment is something like 25-30 hours per year.

Special Skills
All skill levels are welcomed. Volunteers need only a love of gardening or the desire to learn how to grow vegetables organically.  We think this is a wonderful activity for families!