City of Columbus, Franklin County Announce Community Garden Grants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 22, 2013
Contacts: Barb Seckler, Department of Public Health,
614/419-7716
John Ivanic, Columbus City Council, 614/645-6798
Hanna Greer, Franklin County Commissioners, 614/525-5848
City of Columbus, Franklin County Announce Community Garden Grants
Recognizing the many benefits of community gardens, the City
of Columbus and Franklin County announced the recipients of their joint community
garden grants program. $53,200 in funding was allocated to 42 local community
gardens this year. Partner organizations the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Clean Turn LLC, the Columbus Foundation, and
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens helped to make the program
possible by supplying in-kind products and services.
Currently in its third year, the City/County Community
Garden Grants program supports existing gardens in the City of Columbus and
throughout Franklin County, and encourages the creation of new gardens.
Community gardening is a growing movement in Central Ohio.
Community gardens improve nutritional offerings, reduce family food expenses, improve the quality of life for neighborhood residents, provide
vocational training and educational opportunities to school children, and
provide a catalyst for neighborhood and community development.
“Community gardens do an exceptional job filling a void in
neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “Where abandoned houses once
stood, gardens are taking root, adding beauty and recreational space for
neighbors to gather together.”
“Community gardens can be an important component of building
strong, safe, and healthy neighborhoods,” said Columbus City Councilmember
Priscilla R. Tyson, chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. “City Council supports community gardens and
included additional money for this program in our most recent budget
amendments.”
The city’s investment of nearly $35,000 for the 2013 grant
program was allocated to support 34 separate gardens, for necessary products and
services unique to each project. Among the awards was one made to Rebuilding Together Central Ohio to help the organization acquire two rototillers and a trailer to be loaned as a shared resource for all
community gardens.
“In 2009, when Franklin County set out to create its first
community garden at Gantz Road, our primary goal was to provide families with
the opportunity to grow fresh, affordable, and healthy produce,” said Franklin County Board of Commissioners President John O’Grady. “We remain committed to that vision but as our community
garden initiative has grown – from one garden in 2009 to over $20,000 in
support today – our mission has evolved too. This year, Franklin County grant
funding will support community gardens, like the one at Hoover YMCA Park, which
will connect local youth with a more active lifestyle as well as fresh produce
weekly to share with their families.”
Franklin County’s investment will support eight community
gardens outside of the City of Columbus but within Franklin County. The Hoover-Y
Park is one of the eight which will receive funding this year. In 2012, nearly
half of the children participating in a similar community garden program at
Hoover-Y had issues surrounding weight. The children participating in this
year’s garden program will have the opportunity to take home a bag of fresh
produce weekly for their families and will benefit from the activities
associated with caring for the one-acre garden.
With over 250 community gardens, Columbus has more community
gardens per capita than any other metropolitan area. Gardens are often located at churches,
schools, and vacant parcels held by the city’s Land Bank. Community gardens can
be dedicated to growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs or simply flowers and
other greenery, as long as the land is gardened by a group of people for the
betterment of the community. They can be
found in urban, suburban, or rural settings.
All qualified applicants receiving funding were required to
be a registered 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and be located within
the City of Columbus or qualifying areas of Franklin County. Grant awards were
made up to $4,000 per project for supplies and/or services. Scott’s Miracle- Gro will supplement grant
awards with product donations.
A complete list of grant recipients is available on line at
www.FranklinCountyOhio.gov/Commissioners/CommunityGardens
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