Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
Fulton, NY – The Nutrition Collaboration of Oswego County is offering residents of Fulton’s Pathfinder Courts / Gilberts Grove housing complex along with any Fulton city resident, the opportunity to enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers right from their own garden!
Working in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County and the City of Fulton, the Nutrition Collaboration of Oswego County is looking to establish a community garden at John Lincoln Park near the Pathfinder Courts / Gilberts Grove complex.
“The Nutrition Collaboration is committed to working together to positively affect nutrition, wellness and hunger in Oswego County,” said Amy Roland, director of Oswego County Opportunities Senior Nutrition Services. “The community garden project is an excellent way to do just that.”
According to Roland the Nutrition Collaboration has worked closely with Fulton Mayor Ron Woodward and Dave Fontecchio, executive director, Fulton Housing Authority, to make the community garden at Pathfinder Courts / Gilberts Grove complex a reality.
“The mayor helped find a location and both he and Dave have been very supportive of our community garden project. We are also working with master gardener volunteers from Cornell Cooperative Extension to help build the community garden,” said Roland.
Organizers are looking to have the community garden planted by the end of May. They are currently soliciting Fulton city residents interested in participating in the project.
“Each participating resident will receive their own garden plot,” explained Danielle Wert, coordinator of OCO’s Rural Health Network, a partner in the Nutrition Collaboration of Oswego County. “The vegetables, herbs, or flowers that they raise will be theirs to enjoy. We will be providing support as needed so even those who have never tended a garden before will be able to enjoy success.”
Fulton city residents interested in participating in the community garden may do so by picking up an application from the Fulton Housing Authority, 1100 Emery St. in Fulton, or by visiting www.oco.org, Health and Nutrition Services.
Return the completed application to the Fulton Housing Authority or mail to: OCO Nutrition Services, 239 Oneida St, Fulton, NY 13069 no later than April 20.
As space is limited, submitting an application does not guarantee a plot in the garden.
The Nutrition Collaboration will utilize a lottery system in the event that the requests for plots out number the amount of plots available in the garden.
Roland added that in addition to satisfaction of being able to plan, plant and care for their own garden plot, participants and the community will benefit from the community garden in many ways.
“Community gardens not only provides participants with fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers it encourages self-reliance, stimulates social interaction, beautifies the neighborhood, creates opportunity for recreation and exercise, and increases a sense of wellness and belonging. We are excited about the community garden project and anxiously awaiting planting season,” said Roland.
Sponsors for the community garden project include: Oswego County Nutrition Collaboration, Rural Health Network of Oswego County, Food Bank Of CNY, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Oswego County Department of Social Services, City of Fulton – department of Parks and Recreation, the Fulton Housing Authority, United Way of Greater Oswego County, and the Cancer Services Program of Oswego County.
For more information on the community garden project, contact Roland at 315 -598-4712 ext. 1811, or via e-mail at [email protected]
A private, non-profit agency, OCO touches the lives of more than 30,000 people each year through more than 50 programs operating in more than 80 locations throughout Oswego County.
The agency, which is a United Way of Greater Oswego County member, employs more than 650 people and has more than 1,200 highly valued volunteers.
For more information, visit www.oco.org
missing or outdated ad config
