Maybe the OP, Hil, and you could have a conversation before a meeting of all of us?

If anyone wishes to discuss this before Tuesday you have my email address contact me there and I'll provide my personal number. Thank you all for your interest we will be able to do a lot of good and have a little fun as well.

I just got off of the phone with Cami McAvoy with the University of Florida IFAS (Agricultural). She has a lot of experience in forming these types of programs and will be attending the meeting on Tuesday. I also spoke to Anne Lambrecht with the village garden club and she will be forwarding information about this to her members later today.

I've posted several more messages regarding the community garden with the intention of having other people involved. In those posts I've made some suggestions, Please do not mistake that for me making decisions prior to our meeting. my intent is to continue to gin up interest and make people aware of the meeting.

Thank you for your understanding.
Rick Lowe

I've got the questions we need to answer to apply for the Fiskars makeover (startup garden) grant. I think this is the grand prize and far more than 5K in value.
Here's a sample of what they can help do...
http://vimeo.com/69911409
Halifax / Project Orange Thumb | Fiskars

Thank you Kitty I can see you are going to extremely helpful in this process as we move forward!

What is the status of the garden? Anyone have any updates to share?

We have recently received several donations including topsoil,organic fertilizer, the equipment and manpower needed to excavate the site and pavers for the walkways and handicap access. We're also in the process of applying for the Fiskers grant totaling 3,500 in cash and 1,500 in garden tools. I'll be meeting with Ken from Mission Oaks and the construction manager on Friday to discus the design and scope of work.

I would be very interested. A great idea

Have been out of the loop while working a part time job. Last day is Friday so I have my life back for now - am very interested in this is someone could give me the details.

Wow, awesome progress Rick. Thanks for the update.

Thank you for the report, Rick. How many people from The Villages would you estimate have shown genuine interest in participating? I want to tell you that I hope you have wonderful success with your endeavor.

to date I've been contacted by about 30 village residence. mission oaks has 77 residence ultimately we could have in excess of 400 or more We've also been approached by several Master gardeners that would like to participate they believe we could have as many as 50 master gardeners working with us!

Amazing. Watching something like this take off and grow is so exciting to me. I truly wish you and everyone involved the greatest success and many, many, many hours of peace and bliss tilling the soil. .

“God made a beauteous garden
With lovely flowers strown,
But one straight, narrow pathway
That was not overgrown.
And to this beauteous garden
He brought mankind to live,
And said "To you, my children,
These lovely flowers I give.
Prune ye my vines and fig trees,
With care my flowers tend,
But keep the pathway open
Your home is at the end."

God's Garden”
― Robert Frost

Best of luck to everyone. Cant wait to be up there full time to partake in the fun.:coolsmiley: