You might be familiar with the term "Barn Raising", which describes the collective action of a community coming together to help build a barn for a member of that community. After using grant funding to purchase a much needed greenhouse kit, Laraway's Land Stewardship team felt that embracing the idea of community gathering and teamwork would be a great way to kick off the spring and start construction of our own greenhouse. On April 21, over 25 community volunteers (which included Johnson State College SERVE students and Americorps members), staff, and youth came out on a balmy, sunny Thursday to help construct our new greenhouse and assist with beginning of the season garden projects. Volunteers worked from 10am to 4pm helping to construct the greenhouse base and side walls, prepping raised beds, planting greens, spreading mulch and flipping compost. During lunch, which featured brick oven pizza made by Laraway staff, a volunteer recognition took place to acknowledge all of our volunteers who had worked with us in the last six months (many were volunteering at the event!). New friends were made, laughs were shared, and even dirt high fives were exchanged. We were able to get quite a few big projects done with so many hands and are so grateful to our volunteers for their efforts. We hope to see them out in the garden again this season!
Land Stewardship will be hosting regular volunteer hours every Wednesday from 1:30-4pm at the Laraway Garden. Please email Ginny at gcooke@laraway.org if you are interested in volunteering!
 |
| Getting the Greenhouse base set up. Photo by Laura Biren. |
 |
| Laraway's pizza oven, ready to roll [out pizza]. Photo by Laura Biren. |
 |
| Volunteers moving raised beds. Photo by Laura Biren. |
 |
| Photos by Emily Hutchinson and Laura Biren. |
 |
| Even the wheelbarrow was happy to be working in such nice weather :) Photo by Laura Biren. |
Article by Ginny Cooke, Land Stewardship Americorps VISTA.
No comments:
Post a Comment