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Rotary Gardens workshop to cover community gardens

JANESVILLE — During World War I, people planted vegetable gardens to help the war effort.

It was a community effort, with people working in their own backyards or joining together in communal gardens.

Today, people are thinking about gardens because they're concerned about the origin of their food, and they understand gardens are a tangible way to combat hunger in their own backyards.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, Rotary Gardens and UW Extension are hosting a "Community Garden Workshop" at Rotary Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville.

A community garden can takes lots of forms, said Mike Maddox, UW Extension and Rotary Gardens horticulture educator.

Janesville's Rockport Road Community Garden is a communal effort, with participants managing the plot themselves. The Merrill Park Community Garden is another such effort.

Sometimes people share the fruits of their labors. Other times, people rent their own plots within a garden.

"This workshop is for the individual who is thinking about some of these food issues or is thinking about participating in a community garden in the area," Maddox said.

Communal gardening is also a way to combat hunger by teaching people the basics of supporting themselves.

Many people wouldn't know where to start.

"I think they say that we are, on average, three generations removed from the farm," Maddox said.

That said, the workshop won't be so much about how to plant—although that will be a small part of it—but what you should know about community gardening.

Maddox will open the workshop with a discussion about the local community gardens.

He'll be followed by Nick Heckman, a UW Extension specialist who will present data about hunger and families.

Then, Jackie Gennett of Bushel & Peck's Local Market will talk about the local food movement.

After a discussion of the history of urban farming, Brad Paulson will give participants some practical hints for both community and personal gardens. Paulson, a farmer and seed salesman, will cover some of the basics such as using seeds or transplants and deciding on heirlooms or hybrids.

The day will end with a roundtable discussion about the trials and tribulations of individuals who have tried to start community gardens.