The ground is freshly tilled in New Gloucester. Another gardening season awaits. This is the third season for the New Gloucester Community Garden, a shared venture of a few charitable souls and the Community Schools at Opportunity Farm and Camden.
Garden plots are available for anyone who wants to grow vegetables. Folks as far away as Portland have reserved space here.
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“People are so interested in gardening and growing their own food that the wait lists at some of the community gardens in Portland are years long,” said Laura Campbell, garden co-manager. “Last year we had at least five plots registered by Portland folks.”
The garden is about an acre in size. A 12 x 15 foot plot can be reserved for $20 a season, a cost that has remained the same for three years running. A tool shed is stocked with necessary implements, and if you bring a tool you have free access to all of the others. Everyone has access to a watering hose. Participants must sign a form promising that they will not use pesticides.
The garden was started in 2010 by local master gardeners Bob Fowler and Deb Fralich. Campbell is also a master gardener. Part of the coursework for becoming a master gardener is doing a community project like the garden, which is split into two sections. One side is public rental plots, while the other is reserved for growing fresh food for the town food pantry.
“I love working there,” Campbell says. “It’s such a beautiful piece of land and the one of the highest vistas around. You can see the entire valley.”
Campbell also loves introducing people to the art of cultivation.
“I enjoy showing folks that it’s not that difficult to grow some of your own food,” she said. “You can save a huge amount of money and it’s so much healthier for you. It’s great to introduce it to young people.”
That’s where the Community Schools at Opportunity Farm and Camden comes in. Faced with significant challenges in its operational model last year, the original Opportunity Farm was forced to close its doors shortly after its 100th year of helping troubled youth. But operations continue. An organization in Camden annexed and modified the farm into its own program, one that began in the early 1970s.
“It’s been a busy year for us,” said Joseph Hufnagel, director of residential programs at the community school. “The merger of Camden and New Gloucester operations happened in June; we welcomed new students in September.”
Hufnagel resides at the New Gloucester location and commutes to Camden a couple of times each week. He wants the community to know about Opportunity Farm’s new phase and says the garden is a positive part of the venture, one that’s working wonderfully in the school’s curriculum for the 16 to 20-year-olds who attend.
“The garden is a real boon to the program,” Hufnagel said. “We’ll use the produce in our culinary program and we want to do some preserving and pickling, too.”
Flowers will be part of what’s grown as well. The community school has partnered with Clover Manor in Auburn. The kids will build relationships with elders there and present them with homegrown flower arrangements.
To reserve a plot, or simply volunteer, get in touch via Facebook (The New Gloucester Community Garden), or call Laura Campbell at 671-6575.
Don Perkins is a freelance writer who lives in Raymond. He can be reached at:
presswriter@gmail.com
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