PACT Meeting Minutes - Feb 18th 2010

Tonight we met to continue discussion and planning for community garden projects in the village of Potsdam.

Specifically we would like to set up approximately three garden plots in the village where local residents could be allocated their own mini-plot (allotment) for planting.

The objectives of this project include:

• introducing community members to the basics of gardening

• helping children to understand where food comes from

• encouraging social interaction between community members

• enjoying fresh and healthy vegetables

• fostering discussions relating to food security, energy and resiliency

These locations have been suggested for garden plots:

• Evergreen Apts (formerly named Raquette Acres)

• Debra Drive apartments

• Clinton St lot near the school

• Lot near New Hope church

• Cedar St where the old water tower used to be.

The first two locations either already have a garden plot or had one recently that could be made available again.

Jan V. said she would speak with Mike Weil (Village Administrator) to discuss possible locations of village-owned property that could be used.

Jan also mentioned that the Unitarian Universalist church owns a rear-tine tiller that they currently use in the Lehman park community garden, and that tiller might be usable to get these new plots started.

Beverly B. suggests that we write a grant application to obtain funding for seeds, transplants and tools.

I think (but not certain) that Tim W, Beverly B and Jan V. will chip away on the grant. Jan V. said she's really too busy to work on it, so maybe it's up to Tim and Beverly to do the majority of the writing.

We need to find out how many community members at each location would be interested in having a garden plot. It was suggested that for the two appt. complexes, the operators/landlord could use their existing communication tools (bills to tenants?) as a way to solicit expressions of interest from potential gardeners.

For other locations an ad or announcement in NCTW could help us determine interest level.

Jan also suggested that when planting time arrives we could advertise for donations of 'excess transplants' from area gardeners who have started more plants than they actually need. If we're going to do this we'll need to get the word out before planting begins so gardeners will already have in mind what to do with their excess transplants.

There was some discussion of the types of plants to grow, including tomatoes, various greens, wax beans, pole beans, cucumbers, squash, zuccini, and potatoes among others. Corn was ruled out as impractical.

The next meeting date will be determined from future discussion on the pact mailing list, as the usual '2nd wednesday' is not a good day for some members.

Present at the meeting: Tim W, Beverly B, Donna S, Jan V, Brad C.