Community garden gets boost from business owners
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RONAN – It’s exactly like photosynthesis. As plants grow using sunlight to transform nutrients from carbon dioxide and water, two women are combining energy and resources to cultivate a green haven — the Ronan Community Garden.
“Everything is coming together very nicely,” FoodCorp Supervisor Carey Swanberg said. “This is a gift from the community.”
Swanberg and FoodCorp Service Member Laura Arvidson have been working side-by-side with Ronan companies to help finish the construction of the plot.
“They have helped us immensely,” Swanberg said. “We wouldn’t be this far without the donations and discounts these businesses have given us.”
St. Luke’s Hospital paid for the fencing, Mission Lawn and Landscape will complete the irrigation system, which was paid for by Friends of Regional Parks and Trails and many others have volunteered their time, according to Swanberg.
“We are almost done with the construction.” Swanberg said. “One thing we are missing is a gazebo, and that will come in the future. We also want to add a weather station.”
With the raised beds built and the ground tilled, Arvidson is looking forward to planting.
“We will be having summer school kids out here working,” Arvidson said.
“They will be maintaining the fruits and vegetables while learning about the growth process.”
As the plants develop over the warm season, Arvidson hopes that students will appreciate the fall harvest.
“Watching the plants grow will hopefully make them appreciate where their food comes from,” Arvidson said. “I think it is an exciting hand-on learning process for the students.”
Community members can contact Carey Swanberg if they would like to have a plot and be a supervisor of the garden.
