CROTHERSVILLE
Crothersville officials are ready to plant the seeds for a community garden.
A public meeting has been set to give residents an opportunity to listen to plans for the garden and provide input.
It will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Crothersville Town Hall, 111 E. Howard St.
“It’s extremely early in the planning process,” town Councilman Chad Wilson said. “Planting season is several months away, so we’ve got a little bit of time to work on this, but I think this could be a really neat program for the town, the parks board and just everyone that lives here. The more involvement that we have, the better off this will end up having a successful first year.”
In December, Wilson announced plans for the town, its parks board and the school to come up with ideas for a community garden.
Wilson had consulted with Debbie Hackman, who has been involved with Seymour’s community garden. She met with him and other school staff members and students to discuss options for starting one in Crothersville.
Seymour charges $10 for a 10-by-20-foot plot and $20 for a 20-by-20, and Wilson said Crothersville could follow similar rates.
The garden would give residents a place to plant produce or flowers.
Wilson said adding a gazebo and some benches also is an option. Adding a farmers market to the garden is being considered, too.
The school’s Young Heroes Club, National Honor Society and FFA already have expressed interest in being involved. They are working with Hackman on paperwork needed to apply for a grant.
Wilson said the parks board could benefit from the proceeds generated from people purchasing plots. That could be used to conduct community events around Easter, Halloween and Christmas.
Organizers are still trying to find the best place to put the garden.
One option is on a town-owned lot at Pennsylvania Avenue and Main Street across from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1083. Organizers also have talked about putting it on or near the school grounds.
Seymour’s community garden is on school property at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School.
That garden started in 2014 with one person reserving a plot but grew the next two years to having most of the 60 available plots rented by people in the community.
Open from May to late October, the community garden is managed by the Seymour High School FFA chapter and Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce.
The past couple of years, they have conducted a kickoff event where people have a chance to plant their own seeds or plants or purchase some from the FFA and also receive tips from professionals and socialize with other gardeners.
Since Crothersville is a smaller community than Seymour, Wilson said he would like to see at least 10 plots in the first year of the garden.
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What: Public meeting about establishing a community garden in Crothersville
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 24
Where: Crothersville Town Hall, 111 E. Howard St.
Who: The public is invited to listen to plans and provide input
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