Mt. Airy Has a Community Garden
This past winter, the idea for establishing a community garden was hatched. A small, but passionate committee was formed, a location was selected and several members attended classes at the Civic Garden Center to learn more about what it takes to make this idea successful. After numerous planning meetings, things quickly got under way. A strategy that involved fundraising, pursuing grant opportunities and organizing volunteer events all of which proved to be successful and within a short period of time, the Mt. Airy Commons Community Garden was established. Read More
Community Garden Volunteer Days: Equal Parts Productive, Rewarding, and Fun!
2024 is the inaugural year for the Mt. Airy Commons Community Garden and we have gotten off to a flying start! Last winter, the space was an unsightly, overgrown half acre that was crying out for a major transformation. Trash had been blowing into the area over time and illegal dumping was a constant problem. During the spring, our newly formed community garden committee convened many meetings and put together a comprehensive plan to make our vision become a reality. We knew we would need lots of help, so we started reaching out to the neighborhood, the city and the business community to organize multiple volunteer days. Read More
Inaugural Mt.Airy Commons Community Garden Fall Festival
To build awareness and increase engagement in the neighborhood, the Mt. Airy Commons Community Garden (Mt. Airy CCG) held the first ever Fall Festival. With the assistance of Mt. Airy Elementary, Cincinnati Police Department, Mt. Airy CURE, Mt. Airy Town Council and the Civic Garden Center, we spread the word to the entire community and produced a wonderful event. Read More
Why Should Mt. Airy Have A Community Garden?
An unfortunate trend has taken place in underserved neighborhoods over the past several years as large food retailers have followed a business model of having fewer and larger stores leaving many places like Mt. Airy without a market . The result is the creation of “food deserts” where fresh produce is very difficult to obtain by a large percentage of residents. Many urban communities have sought to find solutions to this problem including establishing community gardens where residents grow their own food and set up a system for distribution to those who may be food insecure. Here in Mt. Airy, we recognized the urgent need to provide fresh, nutritious produce to our community members who have been struggling to access healthy food options. Driven by this compelling mission, together as neighbors and volunteers we plan to create a thriving oasis of greenery right in the middle of our business district. Our garden aims to become a symbol of our collective commitment to the well-being of our community and a testament to the belief that everyone deserves access to nutritious food. Beyond its primary goal of providing fresh produce, our community garden offers a multitude of additional benefits:
- Improved Nutrition: Access to fresh fruits and vegetables empowers our community members to make healthier dietary choices, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Community Building: The garden serves as a gathering place where neighbors can connect, share knowledge, and foster a sense of belonging.
- Educational Opportunities: The garden provides hands-on learning experiences for children and adults alike, teaching them about sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and the importance of local food systems.
- Environmental Stewardship: By growing our own food, we reduce our reliance on imported produce and minimize our carbon footprint.
- Economic Empowerment: The garden empowers community members to grow their own food, reducing their household expenses and increasing their
