The Merrill Community Garden Group with support from Lincoln County Health Department, Lincoln County UW Extension, and Live Sustainable will host an official “Kick-Off” information and sign-up meeting to be held at Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N. Sales St, Merrill on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. Organizations and individuals wanting to help in the communal garden, and gardeners wanting a plot for their own should attend this meeting.
Plots are limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. The land for the garden is located on the grounds of Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill on 6th Street and Memorial Drive. There will be approximately 24 garden plots for rent in Spring of 2016. The garden is open to anyone interested in having an organic garden alongside others in their community; no pesticides such as herbicides or insecticides will be allowed. For more information contact Shelley Hersil, Director and Health Officer, Lincoln County Health Department, 715-539-1360 or [email protected].
Whether you are a newcomer to gardening or an experienced gardener, there are resources available to answer questions, the Lincoln County – UW Extension offers a wide variety of services to Community Gardeners. Call 715-539-1072 and either the Agricultural Educator or a Master Gardener Volunteer will assist you with your questions. There are also gardening publications on web developed by University of Wisconsin specialists and Extension horticulturists. They can be found at http://hort.uwex.edu/.
Live Sustainable, Lincoln County is a non-profit organization that works to help people lead more environmentally friendly, fair and economical lives for the good of their families, their community and the planet. Meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N Sales St., Merrill. To join Live Sustainable contact, the Family Living Educator at 715-539-1080 the Ag Educator at 715-539-1078 Website: http://counties.uwex.edu/lincoln/p/lslc/.
The following is a wish list of items for the garden. If you are able to donate please contact 715-539-1072 and either the Agricultural Educator or a Master Gardener Volunteer. The plan is to create a “wish list” for future in-kind and donor memorials.
•Memorial container garden donations
•Nectar plants for pollinators
•Picnic Table
•Outdoor cleaning sink and station
•Message Board
•Rain Barrels
•Herbs
•Straw Bales
•Newspaper for lasagna gardens
•Bricks for exterior perennial beds
•Cement Blocks for Compost tiers.
•Garden Stakes
•Compost bin
•Designated Parking Signs
•Publication Board for Shed
The community garden is made possible by Wisconsin Partnership Program at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. The goal of the grant is for Lincoln County residents to be healthy through the availability of healthy foods.