February 21, 2018
Last year, Imagine Grinnell and the Poweshiek County Master Gardeners partnered to launch Marvin Gardens, a garden and orchard on Grinnell’s South side where anyone can pick fresh fruits and vegetables. This year, Ahrens Park will become home to another “edible landscape” project, thanks to a $5000 grant from ISU extension.
“Master Gardeners make a difference in Iowa,” said Susan DeBlieck, Master Gardener assistant coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach. “These grants provide support to Master Gardeners across the state as they continue their work to increase food security.”
To be eligible to receive a grant, applicants must be an active Iowa Master Gardener, have the support of their county ISU Extension and Outreach staff, and have strong partnerships with community organizations that serve Iowans experiencing poverty.
“SNAP-Education aims to make healthy choices easier for Iowans with low income,” said Christine Hradek, SNAP-Ed coordinator with ISU Human Sciences Extension and Outreach. “The participating Master Gardeners make fruits and vegetables easier to access throughout the growing season.”
Poweshiek Extension Director Cathy Lents will administer the grant and oversee the project on behalf of ISU. “Marvin Gardens was a great project last year, and we look forward to doing it again this year at Ahrens Park,” said Lents.
The Ahrens project will include many of the same features as Marvin Gardens; a series of raised beds with traditional annual vegetables like tomatoes, squash and beans. Like the Marvin Ave. project it will also include the establishment of perennial fruit and nut trees. A new feature at Ahrens Park will be the inclusion of handicap-accessible raised beds near the walking path.
One of the key drivers of both the Marvin Gardens development and the current plan for Ahrens Park is Imagine Grinnell board member and Master Gardener Jennison Willett. “It’s important to us that not only do people in the area have access to healthy food, but that they have the opportunity to learn about how to grow healthy food,” said Willett. “People will be able to enjoy participating regardless of their abilities.”
The project will launch in the spring with the construction of raised beds and continue throughout the summer with a series of free educational and fun garden events.
“We are so happy to be adding these features to the park,” said Ahrens Park Foundation representative Julie Gosselink. “We love that we can encourage people to have an active lifestyle here at the park, and now they can learn about picking healthier, fresh food as well.”
