The GROW! organization started in 2009 with the support of community members who recognized the value of gardening, not only as a source of food, but also as a health, and social connection tool for the benefit of those in the community. It is the mission of GROW! to bring the community together to realize the connections that can be made within the community to further enhance its wellbeing. In 2011-2012 GROW! will work on two garden sites to provide the groundwork towards even further food security in the coming years.
GROW! provides gardening opportunities in neighborhoods for people living in apartments or for those who wish to connect to their neighborhoods through community gardening. The organization has and will continue to facilitate education for planting, growing, harvesting, food storage and composting. Information will be available for participants to make healthier food choices.
GROW! has over 30 gardening plots measuring four feet by twenty feet, or double plots at ten by twenty feet, available for community members at a cost of $20.00 or $45.00 per plot. This is an opportunity for individuals to experience the joy and satisfaction of gardening.
GROW! has and will continue to provide fruits and vegetables to the food bank and sell some of its produce to buy commodities such as flour, rice, sugar etc. to donate to the food bank. The organization seeks to connect to our school system by providing quality produce to our students. We will make available knowledgeable people to provide on site lessons for teachers and their students to learn more about their food sources. GROW! will also make food available to the Senior Center for senior lunches and to churches or other groups who provide a place for food distribution.
Our future VISION FOR GROW! is to support the establishment of a community center that not only provides a place for exercise and communication, but also supports facilities for food storage and appropriate kitchens for processing food for long term storage.
GROW! members are excited about the direction in which GROW! is moving and invite you to join us. We meet the first and third Tuesday at 5:30 at Mugsy' Tavern and Grill in downtown Bonners Ferry, ID.
TO SIGN UP FOR A GARDEN SPOT, OR TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER OF GROW! please call Jerry Pavia at (208) 267-7374, or Jennifer Jensen at (208) 267-3235
GROW! Objectives
P.O. Box 1433