project leader
Susan M
location
1300 Broad St.
(Barry Square)
latest update rss
Due to COVID-19 shutdown an additional amount is needed for materials!

the project

The Community Garden at 1300 Broad St. is in the middle of a densely populated, predominantly minority, high poverty “food desert.” We have up to 44 beds for community members and groups, and all plots and events are free. We compost, have a successful bee colony, host a little free library, and provide a place to relax in the shade. The Grange is a community organization that formed over 150 years ago with a core mission of equity and justice. Simsbury Grange #197 is dedicated to community resilience and sustainability and has been a consistent partner in providing support, supplies and farming expertise to the Garden since 2013.

We have patched things as much as we can. The garden beds desparately need repairs and we need soil, covers, basic advice and supplies. Sustainable CT's program to match community-generated funds through IOBY is a perfect mechanism to support this project and this organic community. Thank you for your support!

Community member in the garden

the steps

With Spring upon us, this is urgent. We have all plans in place to mobilize ASAP.

April 2020 - $3000 Repair and add soil to 22 double garden beds and repair “read and seed” Little Free Library at our partner community garden in Hartford;

May 2020 - $500 Purchase seedlings, seeds (from Common Ground High School in New Haven and/or local vendors);

June 2020 - $500 (several sessions for consulting/planning regarding various issues (composting / permaculture / pollinators / suitable and native plants) 

We need to complete this campaign within one month, hopefully, sooner. We will begin the project immediately upon completion of the crowdfunding.

 

why we're doing it

We need nature, health and connections. This is a true example of community sustainability and resilience in a high-poverty food desert. The goal of the garden is and has always been to provide a sustainable space for the community to gather and grow food, relax, share and get to know each other, and in general take pride of ownership in this space for social connection and healthy food. Some of our gardeners are now attempting to save and swap seeds - a fledgling effort that we hope will grow.

The Garden started with nothing but a patch of dirt, an area filled with trash, and a vision. The Grange is committed to supporting it and it has come a long way despite no dedicated staff or budget. The Garden has leveraged small one-time infusions to build the fence, install irrigation and build the shed and every year the Simsbury Grange, Trinity College students, faculty and staff and the gardeners have worked together and even won several awards. Neighbors were involved from the beginning and have always been the leaders in the garden, so it is truly an example of an organic community.

budget

Disbursed budget:

$3891 to pick up donated lumber, purchase hardware and some lumber and repair and add soil to 22 garden beds; volunteers will repair read and seed; Simsbury Grange will cover cost overruns

$200 seedlings; seeds supplemented by Grange donations and registering as a seed distribution site through COOP gardens

$215.31 – 5% fiscal sponsorship of CT State Grange Foundation

No cost – virtual consulting with gardeners.



TOTAL RAISED = $4,407.00
ioby Platform Fee $35.00
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $65.73
TOTAL TO DISBURSE= $4,306.27

Updated budget:

$3000 Repair and add soil to 22 garden beds and repair “read and seed” Little Free Library

$500 Purchase seedlings, seeds (from Common Ground High School in New Haven and/or similar local vendors);

$500 (several sessions for consulting/planning regarding various issues (composting / permaculture / pollinators / suitable and native plants)

$1700 Lumber

$200 Hardware



PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED = $5,900
ioby Platform Fee $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%)
(Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.)
$90
TOTAL TO RAISE = $6,025
Please note: ioby fees are estimated and will be calculated based on totals at the end of the campaign.  

Original Budget:

$3000 Repair and add soil to 22 garden beds and repair “read and seed” Little Free Library

$500 Purchase seedlings, seeds (from Common Ground High School in New Haven and/or similar local vendors);

$500 (several sessions for consulting/planning regarding various issues (composting / permaculture / pollinators / suitable and native plants)



PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED = $4,000
ioby Platform Fee $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%)
(Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.)
$61
TOTAL TO RAISE = $4,096
Please note: ioby fees are estimated and will be calculated based on totals at the end of the campaign.  

updates

Due to COVID-19 shutdown an additional amount is needed for materials!

We had long-standing commitments of labor and materials, but due to the shutdown the materials are no longer available! This additional $ will cover these materials, and allow this to proceed immediately. Thank you so much for supporting the community!!

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Katie G.
  • Erin L.
  • Helen W.
  • Megan H.
  • Julie W.
  • Douglas J.
  • Luis M.
  • Martha R.
  • Trinfo.Cafe
  • Anonymous
  • Lesley F.
  • Diana E.
  • Cheryl C.
  • Sonia C.
  • Janet M.
  • Sarah R.
  • David G.
  • Erin C.
  • Meredith S.
  • Dario Del Puppo
  • Anonymous
  • Dave
  • Susan M.