CHS Community Garden has garden plots for rent
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This photo shows the community garden located across Illinois Street on the east side of Chinook High School. The garden was completed last year by the CHS Future Farmers of America chapter. Garden spots are currently available for this gardening season. Contact FFA Advisor Robin Allen and the high school for details about renting a garden space.
Last year the Chinook High Future Farmers (FFA) chapter completed their community garden project just in time for the summer gardening season. CHS Vo-ag teacher Robin Allen said the garden spot, across Illinois Street to the east of the high school, has 10 raised beds. There are still six 12 feet by 12 feet raised beds and one 12 feet by six feet bed available for the 2018 garden season. Half beds are also available for renting.
This year the garden plots can be rented for the season running roughly May through October. Allen explained the need for the increase in the annual rental fee was a result of the cost to provide water to the garden site.
The rental cost includes use of an assigned raised bed, access to water for the garden and a community tool shed for storage. During the first year virtually all the plots were rented. Last fall J.J. Colby, a CHS senior, built a small greenhouse on the garden site for his final Eagle Scout project. The greenhouse is available for gardeners needing a place to help their plants get a good start.
Allen said, "The idea for the community garden came about during the chapter officers' retreat two summers ago. We were discussing some ways we could give back to the community and the idea for a garden came up. The school-owned vacant lot across Illinois Street from our shop area seemed a natural site." Early last year the school board granted approval to proceed with the project and use the lot owned by the school system.
A grant application was written for funding from the FFA Foundation (some of the foundation funds come from the 'Bulls for Blue' program where the proceeds from selling a particular bull go to the foundation). The grant application described the proposed community project, its goals, costs and how the work would proceed. The CHS chapter received $4500 to help fund the garden project. Allen said many materials were donated by local businesses and individuals. A source for top soil to fill in the beds was identified and a local company hauled the soil to the garden site. Some lumber for the raised beds was also donated.
The communal storage shed was built by students in Allen's construction classes at the high school. FFA advisor Allen said, "We used part of the grant for materials to build the shed at the garden site." There is a lock on the shed with a code given to people who rent a plot. Allen added, "There are some basic hand tools in the shed, noting, "Some folks might not have space to keep tools where they live, it will be important to have some basic tools at the garden site."
To rent a garden plot
Plots are rented on a first-come, first-served basis with available plots noted at the start of this story. Reservations for plots can be made through the FFA chapter advisor at Chinook High. Phone Robin Allen, Vo-ag teacher and FFA Advisor, at 357-2236. You can email her at allenr@chinookschools.org.
