The People’s Garden Initiative Aimee Omohundro Housing Technician USDA Rural Development

The People’s Garden Initiative is an effort by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which challenges its employees to establish People’s Gardens at USDA facilities worldwide or help communities create gardens. People’s Gardens vary in size and type, but all have a common purpose – to help the community they’re within and the environment. What is the People’s Garden Initiative?

Gardens can benefit communities in many different ways, such as: Creating spaces for leisure or recreation Creating spaces for leisure or recreation Fostering pride through beautification Fostering pride through beautification Providing a harvest to a local food bank, Providing a harvest to a local food bank, Providing food or shelter for wildlife Providing food or shelter for wildlife Serving as a demonstration site to educate the public and raise awareness of issues such as: natural resource conservation, nutrition, healthy eating, sustainable agriculture, forestry, etc. Serving as a demonstration site to educate the public and raise awareness of issues such as: natural resource conservation, nutrition, healthy eating, sustainable agriculture, forestry, etc.

The garden was created and/or is maintained by a partnership of individuals, groups, organizations, state or federal agencies.

Utilizing rain barrels for irrigation, or Utilizing rain barrels for irrigation, or Using water efficient irrigation systems Using water efficient irrigation systems Xeriscaping Xeriscaping Composting, mulching, or use of cover crops Composting, mulching, or use of cover crops Planting native species Planting native species Encouraging beneficial insects Encouraging beneficial insects Erosion control Erosion control Storm water management Storm water management

Note: Gardens located at private residences are NOT eligible to become are NOT eligible to become People’s Gardens.

Kirkendall Heights in Ellsworth, Kansas developed new whiskey barrel gardens. Residents Betty Jo and Eric are proud to show off their new gardens.

O’Loughlin Village GardenSoxx John Harsch and Barb Simpson of Sustainable Environmental Consultants have offered to donate, install, and educate managers and tenants on the maintenance of GardenSoxx for three Multi- Family Housing complexes in Kansas. The GardenSoxx are environmentally friendly, weed free planting “soxx” that may be placed anywhere and moved as necessary. These convenient products will allow the projects to join the People’s Garden initiative by growing the plants of their choice without the hassle and worry of digging a traditional garden.GardenSoxx

Lakin GardenSoxx

Liberal GardenSoxx

Trinity Place Senior Residence These raised-bed gardens are located at Trinity Place Senior Residence in Atchison, Kan., which is managed by Homestead Affordable Housing. Homestead Affordable Housing shared their success of implementing raised-bed gardens at their housing projects during the 2011 Rural Rental Housing Association of Kansas Conference in Great Bend.

Start a People’s Garden at School! Start a People’s Garden at School! Help a USDA Rural Development complex build and/or maintain a garden! Help a USDA Rural Development complex build and/or maintain a garden! Donate plants, supplies, or time! Donate plants, supplies, or time! Call Aimee Omohundro at USDA Rural Development for more information about getting involved! (785) Call Aimee Omohundro at USDA Rural Development for more information about getting involved! (785)

Kerri Ebert Kerri Ebert serves as the Kansas Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) Coordinator. Ebert stated that SARE offers youth grants for demonstration projects that provide hands-on experience in exploring sustainable agricultural issues and practices. Multi-family housing complexes looking to create raised beds, or developing other innovative gardening techniques, could contact possible youth partners like: FFA, 4-H, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts for possible gardening projects. Youth groups that partner with complexes could be eligible for a youth grant for up to $400 through SARE. Applications are due in January 2012, and if you have questions about SARE contact Ebert at: Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education

Start a People’s Garden Today! Aimee OmohundroUSDA Rural Debra StaabRRHAK/Project Tom BishopHomestead Affordable David ColtrainKState Shari People’s Garden Contacts: