A new gardening program partnership between Allan Hancock College and the local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center will help provide more fresh vegetables to local nonprofits, food banks, and the college’s culinary program.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has established a sustainable vegetable garden on Hancock’s Santa Maria campus, the college announced earlier this month in a press release. The garden was recently planted with help from volunteers, and the college’s grounds-keeping staff helped install the irrigation system. The aptly named People’s Garden is located off South College Drive behind the Allan Hancock College softball field, next to the college vineyard.
The Farm Service Agency and the Cachuma Resource Conservation District are also partners in the project.
Volunteers secured donations from local businesses and organizations, such as Pacific Ag Water, Greenheart Nursery, and Transitions-Mental Health Association’s Growing Grounds. USDA Service Center employees and volunteers helped with initial planting and will continue to maintain the garden throughout the year.
According to the press release, the People’s Garden Initiative is an effort by the USDA that challenges its employees to establish People’s Gardens at USDA facilities around the world or help communities create gardens. People’s Gardens vary in size and type, but all have a common purpose: to help the community they’re in
This article appears in Jun 30 – Jul 7, 2011.