Mount Vernon's three community gardens to open for novice, veteran produce growers

MOUNT VERNON – If you’re interested in trying your hand at vegetable gardening, the Mount Vernon Community Garden project may be the best way to get started.

For new and seasoned gardeners alike, free garden space is being provided for area residents to grow their own produce. Garden plots are open to anyone interested in gardening, with or without experience. Plots sizes average 4x20 feet, but larger plots are available, a press release from organizer Erin Salva said.

Community gardens allow families and individuals without land of their own a space to produce fresh and inexpensive food, the release stated. One study estimated that community gardeners saved between $75 and $380 in food costs each season. The gardens also provide fresh organic produce to local hot meals and other food-assistance sites.

Mount Vernon is home to three community garden sites. For more information, call the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 740-393-1736, or reach out to any of the garden site coordinators below:

• First Church of the Nazarene (located at 800 Coshocton Ave.) coordinators are Catie Hayes (330-960-1195) and Ashley Butler (butler1@kenyon.edu). You can also email communitygarden.mv@gmail. 
• Steve Conrad, the site garden coordinator for Faith Lutheran Church (170 Mansfield Ave.), can be reached at faithlutheran@midohio.twcbc.com or 740-397-5701. 
• The site coordinators for Arch Park Community Garden (Arch Avenue on the west side of Mount Vernon) are Betsy Billiter (billiter2@kenyon.edu) and Erin Salva (salvae@kenyon.edu).

Community gardens are a great way to expand access to fresh vegetables, the press release said. Studies have shown that community gardeners and their families eat healthier diets. Gardening is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, grow your own produce and increase your lifestyle activity. The community gardens offer families and individuals the opportunity to produce healthy organic produce and provide a place for gardeners to share knowledge and skills.