~Myrtle Street's Enchanted Food Forest~
Written by Becky Weidhaas, Resident Manager Myrtle St. SRO
In early 2011, Fort Collins Housing Authority's (FCHA) Charlee Rocco and The Growing Project (TGP) Co-Director Chad Shavor, began discussing the possibility of a garden being built at one of FCHA’s supportive housing facilities which houses individuals who are homeless, called the Single Room Occupancy (SRO). As the resident manager of the Myrtle Street SRO, discussions between TGP and Charlee were presented to me for consideration for a pilot program that TGP was set to launch, called Urban Food Outreach (UFO).
TGPs mission is to increase self-reliance and create a strong, diverse, just, and local food system. At the time of collaborative planning, I felt this would be a good fit for the Myrtle SRO because the residents of the three SROs in Fort Collins would learn how to grow their own organic food. This would not only increase their self-sufficiency skills, but expose them to the freshest, healthiest food available. I was convinced this project would bring great opportunities to my residents, and because my team at the Housing Authority agreed, the planning and implementation of a new hosting garden soon began. The Myrtle house collaboration with TGP went from designing & building, to a now successfully growing food garden on our property. Together with the residents, we made this a summer project to be proud of!
With A total of 450 lbs grown and gleaned, I am happy to report that Myrtle's UFO garden, SUCCEEDED!
Written by Becky Weidhaas, Resident Manager Myrtle St. SRO
In early 2011, Fort Collins Housing Authority's (FCHA) Charlee Rocco and The Growing Project (TGP) Co-Director Chad Shavor, began discussing the possibility of a garden being built at one of FCHA’s supportive housing facilities which houses individuals who are homeless, called the Single Room Occupancy (SRO). As the resident manager of the Myrtle Street SRO, discussions between TGP and Charlee were presented to me for consideration for a pilot program that TGP was set to launch, called Urban Food Outreach (UFO).
TGPs mission is to increase self-reliance and create a strong, diverse, just, and local food system. At the time of collaborative planning, I felt this would be a good fit for the Myrtle SRO because the residents of the three SROs in Fort Collins would learn how to grow their own organic food. This would not only increase their self-sufficiency skills, but expose them to the freshest, healthiest food available. I was convinced this project would bring great opportunities to my residents, and because my team at the Housing Authority agreed, the planning and implementation of a new hosting garden soon began. The Myrtle house collaboration with TGP went from designing & building, to a now successfully growing food garden on our property. Together with the residents, we made this a summer project to be proud of!
With A total of 450 lbs grown and gleaned, I am happy to report that Myrtle's UFO garden, SUCCEEDED!
Since breaking ground on April 10, 2011, it is amazing to report on just how much the garden took off and the sheer bounty that it produced. We built the soil in a ‘lasagna bed’ style, with TGP incorporating weekly education sessions on this, as well as other gardening practices. The residents, volunteers and SRO staff were able to learn in the beginning stages by planting cool-weather crops: radishes, beets, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, and kale. It was very exciting for all of us first time gardeners to plant these starts in our new garden, built with our own two hands...right there, in our very own yard! Throughout the summer, we focused on succession planting and harvesting. By early fall, we were still harvesting tomatoes and eggplants. The fresh produce was gleaned from our garden each week, going directly to the SROs resident kitchen at the Myrtle house, and often shared at the 1st Street location as well. The shared food brought smiles to group dinners, house meetings with fresh veggies, and countless birthday and holiday feasts. (Complimented meals still being talked about to this day!) Myrtle house residents know that not only did this past summer bring them new beginnings, but that their work allowed donations of 50 lbs of extra produce to be given to the Food Bank of Larimer County, thus benefiting others as well.
The Growing Project played a vital part in our garden by providing the tools, seeds, soil, education, and the multitude of resources and support it took to make its first year such a success. And I take great pride in witnessing how the residents enjoyed working in the garden. It brought me joy to see that some even took on their own 'side projects' in the yard.
In June 2011, TGP and FCHA applied for the Community Air Grant (CAIR) through the City of Fort Collins. The goal to enhance the three SROs in the Fort Collins Communities was awarded, and granted funding for both 1st Street and Myrtle SROs to have vermiculture (worm compost) bins. John Anderson, Colorado's "worm man", has led the discussions and increased our education about compost. These sustainable practices are helping us to lessen our impact on the Earth.
Due to the positive feedback of the Myrtle garden, TGP and Rick Torres (1st Street SRO resident manager) have decided to collaborate on a NEW giving garden at the 1st Street SRO location. December 2011, marked the beginning of this new project. The day brought a majority of the 1st Street residents and many TGP volunteers out in the winter sun to work on building the soil and beds at the property in preparation for the spring.
Such exciting times are ahead for TGP! The Myrtle SRO residents are very excited for the 2012 growing season to take off again. The anticipation of the 1st Street giving garden is in full swing! I look forward to sparking up a friendly gardening competition with Rick as he ventures into the gardening fun that will bring him, as it did me, copious amounts of joy and enthusiasm for everyone involved!
Come partake in the treasured experience of growing and giving! I hope to see you in the gardens!
Becky Weidhaas
TGP Volunteer Coordinator, FCHA Liason, & Gardening Enthusiast
Due to the positive feedback of the Myrtle garden, TGP and Rick Torres (1st Street SRO resident manager) have decided to collaborate on a NEW giving garden at the 1st Street SRO location. December 2011, marked the beginning of this new project. The day brought a majority of the 1st Street residents and many TGP volunteers out in the winter sun to work on building the soil and beds at the property in preparation for the spring.
Such exciting times are ahead for TGP! The Myrtle SRO residents are very excited for the 2012 growing season to take off again. The anticipation of the 1st Street giving garden is in full swing! I look forward to sparking up a friendly gardening competition with Rick as he ventures into the gardening fun that will bring him, as it did me, copious amounts of joy and enthusiasm for everyone involved!
Come partake in the treasured experience of growing and giving! I hope to see you in the gardens!
Becky Weidhaas
TGP Volunteer Coordinator, FCHA Liason, & Gardening Enthusiast
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