Nothing new to report...with all the storm activity and whatnot, this has been sort of pushed to the side.  I did meet with John Lemak and he wants rent for the parcel - $1500 a month.  So that is a no go.  UNLESS the City wanted to purchase it - he said he would LOVE to sell it to the City.  That would need to be discussed with Councilman Smith, first though.  This is not going to happen THIS year, but I would like to set up a meeting with all interested participants and come up with a plan.  I think I can get Edwin Marty to assist, but since the tornado's he is working on gardens for the ravaged areas, like Pleasant Grove and Pratt City.  I would like to get through May - get through the school year and have planning meeting in June.  What do y'all think of this plan?

I have some friends who live in Bessemer who have been successful in starting a community garden known as the Jonesboro Community Garden.  I asked my friend what they did to get it started and here is what she told me:
 
"The land was vacant and not in use but was originally donated to the board of education. We presented the idea to the city council, the mayor, and the board of education and they went for it. We wrote a grant proposal to Vulcan Materials and they funded us with $7000 to start the project. We partnered with our Bessemer Historical Homeowners Association, a local church, the American Community Gardening Association, our local extention agent, and the horticultural instructor at Lawson State Community College...we all came together and worked out a plan and got it done. The garden uses about $1000 a year for up keep and new plantings. The board of education still cuts the majority of the property. Feel free to ask any questions."  
 
Just thought I'd pass this on as it sounds like a way to start thinking about things.  Do any of the schools in Bluff Park have land they're not using?  I don't think Bluff Park Elementary does (I live right across the street from it) but what about Gwenn or Simmons middle school?

New to this board and wanted to bring this idea back up to see if there's been any new developments.  My wife and I would definitely be interested and willing to help with a community garden!
 
Thanks

http://www.communitygarden.org/about-acga/
 
Interesting link. I am getting excited about growing garden this year. Especially since our newest neighbors have done so well with theirs. They are definitely a great resource to tap into if this community garden gets off the ground. I see where tons of other places in US have done it.
 
Would people just die if a street decided to tastefully set aside a small patch of all participants' front yard to devote to a street long community garden? I wouldn't mind. It could be tastefully done.
 
I don't know if it costs to be an affiliate...but here are grant opportunities https://secure2.convio.net/kab/site/SSurvey?JServSessionIdr004=f7q2jglog1.app209
b&SURVEY_ID=2180&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS

You can count my wife and me as interested.  The vacant land idea is a good one...running water is the main obstacle I can think of (besides any landowner issues) that might come up.  Hopefully more people will chime in so we can get this thing going

What about the empty lot in the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center that use to be a Nursery?
Since it use to be a nursery it probable may have water line.
Since it has been for sale for awhile the owner may could get a tax right off if they let the city use it for a set time frame( I am not a Lawyer, just thinking about charity)

Every Spring the Community Garden idea comes back to the fore front if my brain. Now, I have another location proposal. What about  garden at the new Moss Rock extension the city is working on? Bright full Sun, a great gathering place and a compliment to the existing uses at Moss Rock Preserve. I was recently visiting friends in Atlanta and their neighborhood had a thriving community garden. So popular, in fact that her family has been on a waiting list for a plot for several years now! Kids were out working, it was not an eyesore, nice fencing, fun garden art...reay beautiful, functional and positive. What do yall think about this location?