The Tall Pines Community Garden Group with support from Lincoln County Health Department, Lincoln County UW Extension, and Live Sustainable, Lincoln County will host informational and sign-up meeting to be held at Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N. Sales St., Merrill on, Monday, May 2 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. For more information contact Shelley Hersil, Director and Health Officer, Lincoln County Health Department, 715-539-1360 or [email protected].
Benefits of a Community Garden:
•Food production and access- Community gardens enable people without suitable land of their own to grow high-quality fruits and vegetables for themselves, their families and their communities.
•Good Nutrition and Exercise- Some research indicates that community gardeners eat more fruits and vegetables. Gardening requires physical activity and helps improve overall physical health.
•Mental health- Interacting with plants and having access to nature help reduce stress and increase gardeners’ sense of wellness and belonging.
•Community- Community gardens foster a sense of community identity, ownership and stewardship. They provide a place for people of diverse backgrounds to interact and share cultural traditions.
•Education- Live Sustainable, Lincoln County, a partner of the Tall Pines Community Garden, provides monthly education regarding gardening.
•Income- Produce may be used to offset food purchases from the grocery store.
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.