Would you like to see more photos?
Then check out our new garden photo album!
We started out like this.......
....but with hard work, cooperation and patience.....
.....by September, we had created this!
Midvale elementary school in the background.
Midvale Gardens
"Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another."
-Anne Raver
Midvale Community Garden
Midvale Community Garden is located on the southwest corner of the Midvale Elementary School grounds [street address: 502 Caromar Drive], owned by the Madison Metropolitan School District. It consists of two main sections: the community garden plots and the Children's (or school) Gardens. Currently, there are 29 community garden plots, each 10' x 10', planted by individuals or families most of whom live in the nearby neighborhoods. The community gardens began in 2006. Plots are rented to community gardeners on a sliding scale set to be affordable to everyone. The Children's Garden, begun in 2007, includes a sunflower hut, bean teepees, a butterfly garden and many beds which grow gourds, corn, lettuce, spinach, squash, tomatoes and peppers. The Children's Garden is operated by teachers and parents of students at Midvale Elementary, with summer maintenance help from the community gardeners. In fall 2007, 70 fruit trees and shrubs were planted with the help of a contribution from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. The gardens were founded by Nancy Gutknecht and Rachel Martin, who are currently the co-coordinators of the garden. In addition to plot fees, the garden has been funded by various grants that have been used to develop the school gardens. For example, the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission awarded the Midvale-Lincoln PTA $3,900 for the “Growing in Knowing” garden gates, designed and built by local metal artist Erika Koivunen. Midvale Elementary students were involved in designing and finding materials for the gates. The gates were unveiled in June 2009.
Currently, we have twenty-six 10x10 foot plots. Payment for plots is based on a sliding scale, set to be affordable for everyone while still collecting enough money in the garden bank account to pay for tools, hoses, a shed, etc. Information for registered gardeners is available, including garden events and garden rules. If you are interested in a plot, please contact Monica Jaehnig:
What is Community Gardening?
You’ve probably heard the term community gardening, but what exactly is it? Many people think community gardening is simply a way to grow food -- the same as back yard gardening, only not in their back yard. Community gardening is different for it creates the opportunity for a diverse set of people to work together to care for a wonderful and productive neighborhood space. Natural outgrowths of these gardens are new personal relationships, cross-cultural exchange, a greater sense of connection to one's community, neighborhood beautification, and an overall strengthening of the neighborhood's social fabric. Click here to learn more about Madison's Community Gardens.
The Vision Behind the Midvale Garden
Our goal is to create a community/school garden and gathering space with year-round beauty at Midvale Elementary School. We would like this space to be used for meeting, eating, teaching and sharing. We are motivated by a vision where the community and school work together to contribute to a healthy, positive neighborhood environment and improve the livability of the community as a whole. Our proposed landscape plan is now available as a pdf file.
This landscape plan shows what is possible however, we would like to work with our neighbors and the school to ultimately determine what the garden should look like. We plan to work towards this goal in phases starting first with the establishment of community plots. We recognize that it will take several years to accomplish this vision.
The Need for a Garden
Currently there are no community gardens in the neighborhood, existing community gardens have a waiting list and the closest garden is not within walking distance.
Who's organizing the garden?
The Midvale Community Garden Committee consists of a group of neighborhood volunteers with the following duties:
Co- Coordinators – Rachel Martin and Nancy Gutknecht
Registrar – Monica Jaehnig
Treasurer – Betsy Hambrick
Web site designer – Ann Wieben
Volunteer coordinator- Kristen Davis
Member at large - Paul Haskew
Current goals of the Committee are to provide for on-site tool storage, secure a more permanent water source, and create the school garden. Long-term goals include creating a living fence around the entire garden out of native perennials, establishing a beautiful community gathering space, and building a green-house or hoop-house. Our proposed landscape plan is available as a pdf file. Every year we make more of this plan a reality. If you would like to help with any of these goals, please contact us.