Appetizing Muse

From the ACGA web site:

The Mission of the American Community Gardening Association is to build community by increasing and enhancing community gardening and greening across the United States and Canada.

I've always been intrigued by the idea of a community garden. At the moment, I don't exactly live in a thriving metropolis (which I'm trying to remedy in short order), and even the idea of a community garden doesn't seem to hold much allure for the local populace. Besides, I don't plan to be in my current location much longer. I'd rather save my efforts for the next destination, which I'm hoping will be the state of Maine.

Organizing a community garden is actually a lot of work. According to ACGA, the checklist includes forming a planning committee, choosing a site for the garden, preparing and developing the garden site, organizing the garden and obtaining insurance. The ACGA also offers helpful guides on establishing a new garden organization (considerations, bylaws), how to manage the community garden, troubleshooting (children's plots, people problems) and resources (horticultural information, seeds, bedding plants).

Raising funds for community gardens is a thorny issue in the current economy. However, ACGA has a list of grant opportunities and fundraising web sites. Unfortunately, my current location affords none of the grants available. Most folks living in my area don't seem to realize or particularly care about gardens which benefit communities by putting real food on the table. Among many other inauspicious reasons, is it any wonder I want to get out of here?

I'd love nothing better than to be mucking about in the soil, growing food not just for myself but for people who truly need it.