Vidalians use their green thumbs to start community garden
Published 12:02am Wednesday, February 1, 2012VIDALIA — If you plant them, they will grow — at least that’s what Terri Morris and a group of gardeners and involved citizens hope will happen as they begin working to assemble a community garden in Vidalia.
Former Master Gardeners Morris and Molly Cooper have teamed up to begin working to transform 20 acres of land on D.A. Biglane Road into a lush community garden.
The idea began with frequent trips Cooper would make to visit her sister in Little Rock, Ark., a place which she says is no stranger to community gardens.
“I’ve been going up there and trying to find out about how we could get something like that here,” Cooper said. “I feel like it’s something I’ve had on my mind for a long time, and when I met Terri it just started coming together.”
The two found themselves the perfect combination to get the job done — a dash of community involvement with a dash of Master Gardener.
“She has the knowledge we need, and I have the enthusiasm we need,” Cooper said.
The team visited Mayor Hyram Copeland to propose the idea and see if there was any land available for the garden.
Copeland said he immediately recognized the ladies passion and dedication to the project and expected nothing less from Miss-Lou residents.
“We’ve always stated that we wanted to improve the quality of life here, and I think this is a chance to do that,” Copeland said. “That’s just the type of people living in the Miss-Lou area. They should be congratulated to start a project like this, and we’re going to work with them to see that it gets done.”
The city donated the 20 acres are situated in Vidalia’s industrial park and area cleared out and almost ready to be planted, Morris said.
Tuesday afternoon, Morris collected soil samples from different areas of the land to send for testing in order to see what can grow on the land and what kind of treatment the land needs.
Morris said eventually the garden would be split up into different plots that would be available to rent per year for citizens wanting to have their own garden.
“My vision is to have a place for people to come and garden, but also teach people sustainable gardening, to learn things like composting and just get everyone involved,” Morris said. “You see a lot of this already in larger cities, and we’re just trying to do something good and really bring the community together.”
After the idea originally began taking form, Morris and Cooper learned of a grant available through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation that could be tied into the community garden.
The “Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana” grant partners Blue Cross Blue Shield with Pennington Biomedical Research Center to offer matching financial assistance for projects that promote healthy eating, active living and environmental change.
LSU AgCenter Assistant Extension Agent Ashley Powell is working with Concordia Parish to apply for the grant; a project they are labeling as “Communities Stepping Forward.”
Powell said the community garden will be one component of the grant application, but that she would also implement programs like family nutrition nights, a traveling kitchen and a community walking club.
“We’re hoping to make it a place where families can come and not only learn about the food they’re growing, but also learn about the nutritional value and take away some things that will make their families healthier,” Powell said. “Were looking to make Louisianians healthier, not just with the things they eat, but also with the physical aspect of it.”
Powell said she has submitted the letter of intent for the grant and further paperwork is being completed to meet the April application deadline.
The grant ranges from $250,000 to $1 million in funds matched.
Powell said the grant targets rural areas in Louisiana that have strong leadership and city officials that can get projects accomplished.
“I know in Vidalia we’ve got some great leaders, and that’s one reason I think Vidalia was targeted,” Powell said.
Morris and Cooper said the community garden project will continue regardless of the grant, but that they know the nutritional and fitness programs would be the perfect compliment to the garden.
“We just want to provide the community with information on nutrition and exercise,” Cooper said. “My dream is to have all ages, all races and everyone participating to bring everyone together to make a stronger community.”
For more information or to get involved, contact Morris at 318-548-4357.
