[Captainhil]

Is anyboby interested to establish a community garden in The Villages where we can raise organic fruits & vegetables ?
I am willing to start a signature petition.
If only 1% of our community wants one, that constitutes 1,000 plots.
If The Villages are going to be the healthiest town in Florida,then we need something like that.

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by Captainhil

Is anyboby interested to establish a community garden in The Villages where we can raise organic fruits & vegetables ?
I am willing to start a signature petition.
If only 1% of our community wants one, that constitutes 1,000 plots.
If The Villages are going to be the healthiest town in Florida,then we need something like that.

Where can I sign up? Perhaps a letter to some of the gardening clubs might help generate interest.

[Country Dreamer]

I would definitely be interested. I miss my organic garden up north.

[casita37]

I'm interested.

[logdog]

There already is a community garden in TV near the wood working shop but I believe it's mostly for charity.

Shared Harvest Community Garden

[Love2Swim]

Its a nice large garden, but as you say its for charity. I'm sure there are many residents here who would be interested in small private plots where they could grow their own vegetables. I've read that some cities provide them for their citizens for a yearly fee that covers expenses such as providing water. I'd be willing to pay a modest fee if I could have access to a plot of land with watering capabilities.

[Blessed2BNTV]

Count us in!

[mulligan]

Unless you are willing to travel outside the villages, where would you propose to put this garden? Somehow, I can't see the developer giving up any land suitable for gardening.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Unless you are willing to travel outside the villages, where would you propose to put this garden? Somehow, I can't see the developer giving up any land suitable for gardening.

I thought Capt Hil was pretty clear that he is considering a petition to the developer. It's a grand idea, and it might catch on because it's loaded with positive media ops in addition to being a darn good idea. Hil is thoroughly a health nut and one who can lead a charge up the hill. (sorry about the Hil-hill thing...I got carried away...)

[Bogie Shooter]

Right now there is a group looking for land to build a track for remote cars. Recreation dept is looking for a site. There is your competition.
Off-sit would probably work.

[LyndaS]

I would love an area to do some organic gardening. Might there be some sort of tax benefit for the developer for �agricultural use� of a piece of land that he is not currently using?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by LyndaS

I would love an area to do some organic gardening. Might there be some sort of tax benefit for the developer for �agricultural use� of a piece of land that he is not currently using?

He does have land that I would guess is in "agricultural use" but the rigamarole that I envision from just reading this forum would be a huge challenge.

For instance;

water usage.
He overwatered and it drained unto my plot and killed my radishes.

property rights.
She tramped through my spring lettuce.

Dogs and pets.
They brought their dog and he/she watered my asparagus.

Community interaction
They planted mint and it has overtaken my sweet corn.

General angst.
Their sweet corn is shading my tomatoes.
Their garlic stinks.
They throw their compost in the trash. Compost is for compost.
They don't weed.
Someone picked my tomatoes.

I think Gary Morse is VERY, very wise.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

He does have land that I would guess is in "agricultural use" but the rigamarole that I envision from just reading this forum would be a huge challenge.

For instance;

water usage.
He overwatered and it drained unto my plot and killed my radishes.

property rights.
She tramped through my spring lettuce.

Dogs and pets.
They brought their dog and he/she watered my asparagus.

Community interaction
They planted mint and it has overtaken my sweet corn.

General angst.
Their sweet corn is shading my tomatoes.
Their garlic stinks.
They throw their compost in the trash. Compost is for compost.
They don't weed.
Someone picked my tomatoes.

I think Gary Morse is VERY, very wise.

Gracie, I think you nailed it!

[Ecuadog]

Hey... maybe I could grow some herb for my glaucoma.

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by LyndaS

I would love an area to do some organic gardening. Might there be some sort of tax benefit for the developer for “agricultural use” of a piece of land that he is not currently using?

I don't know about that, but I have read of and seen many of these gardens during our travels. Generally people pay an annual fee, so there would be no cost to the Developer. Below is a link to community gardens in Vancouver. They are overseen by local community groups (our garden clubs perhaps?), not by the City, so any complaints are handled by the group in charge. It would be nice if the idea were given a chance. In Vancouver, there are many more applicants to have one of the spots in the gardens, than there is space available. In other words, they are very popular. I suspect the same would hold true here.


http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/community-gardens.aspx