Community Garden Committee Notes, March 28, 2018
HOLDEN COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE MINUTES (NOTES)
March 28, 2018
Mission Statement:
The Holden Community Garden Committee is a volunteer organization working to provide and support Holden residents, individually and collectively, to grow food, flowers, fruits, and herbs on town land including the redeveloped property on Highland Street. Our efforts will enable residents to enjoy the beauty of our town while developing a sense of community through cooperative action, learning about sustainable and environmentally conscious gardening as well as ethical harvesting.
The Holden Community Garden Committee also exists to foster the education of the children of Holden through the support of community gardens in local schools and community groups. These gardens will help to develop the appreciation of future generations for the importance of agriculture and responsible environmental practices, and provide education and positive experiences through gardening and physical activity.
In Attendance: Marcia Hastbacka, Chair: Members: Jessica Cosenza, Mike Trigiano
Not In Attendance: Ryan Fahey, Tanya Lewis
Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m.
AGENDA:
Review of Notes from 3/6/18 Meeting.
The minutes from the 3/6/18 meeting were approved. Since there was not a quorum of appointed members at that meeting, the minutes are being submitted as notes.
GARDEN RULES & REGULATIONS, APPLICATION FORM & RELEASE FORMS
The final version of the Garden Rules & Regulations & Application form were distributed to members for review. We still need to have the town give us an approved Release Form before the final package can be put in place.
Marcia will ask Peter Lukes if there are any town By-Laws that would limit/restrict either the community garden or the Davis Hill Community Garden as to abutters and the gardens attracting wild life and/or smells from composting, etc.
DAVIS HILL UPDATE
Below are the notes from the Davis Hill Garden Meeting on 3/27/18.
DAVIS HILL WELLNESS FAIR
The Holden Community Garden will have a booth at the fair to be held April 6th from 6-9 p.m. Jess, Michael & Marcia will man the booth and bring hand-outs, sign-up sheets, and have some type of game/activity to draw children & parents to the table.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Our next meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 8, 2018.
Davis Hill Garden MTG Notes : 3/27/18
1. Goals: PRIDE-RESPECT-RESPONSIBILITY-EXCELLENCE- Expand connections
to curriculum to create experiences in educational excellence, and allow
opportunities for students to take on responsibilities fostering pride in garden
projects and respectful community practices at school.
We discussed ideas on goals including: expanded enrollment of teachers and students,
improvement of use and learning from the compost systems in place, soil testing, water filtration
and testing, seed inventory and starting seeds indoors this year.
Plans to achieve these goals included: emailed invitation to staff to share the opportunity to
participate, contact and outreach to community resources for support with composting (HCGC
member help and town outreach to understand bylaws re: outdoor composting, alliance with
environmental group from WHS/former DH students, reconnecting with Andy Hacket (Mayo) on
science links.), obtaining a soil testing kit, upkeep and maintenance of the site (assess needs
after last frost and contact DPW for landscape materials, community groups available and
waiting to help).
2. Kindergarten beds -what’s next: K teachers not in attendance at meeting, but at last meeting
Ms. Benoit had a strong plan and goals noted. Beds are complete and support is available.
3. Funding - Jay Norton to research current funds available. Jessica Cosenza available to help
with grant writing for any well defined project ideas.
4. Security Measures- Camera to be set up and plan to display signage indicating surveillance
in use.
5. Responsibilities- Mrs. Pisano to coordinate a seed inventory project with the student council.
Subcommittee will create a plot plan and planting schedule. Watering and upkeep schedules
may be established during transition/free time (Morning announcement watering block, recess
duty, etc.).
6. Next meeting: April 25 @ 3:45 pm.