The community garden of Cedar Falls began with a partnership of Green Iowa Americorp and a few community members who through hard work, repurposed flooded land owned by FEMA transforming an area that would never be built upon again to an area that is not only beautiful but useful. The land, after city tillage, became forty plots and gardeners, both novice and expert signed up to grow their own foo
d. The renters of the plots, individuals, families or civic groups each decided what to do with the produce, choosing either to consume it, give to neighbors or donate to the food bank, which by seasons end received a few hundred pounds. For the first year, it was off to a fantastic start.
2011 brought more interest and demand for plots so twenty-five were added to provide people a place to grow vegetables, fruit and flowers in a community setting. The sixty five plots were tended by dedicated gardeners who produced a bounty despite the challenge of depending on the rain barrels for water. This year we have a new garden location. It is again repurposing land and with the city’s support has water there for our gardeners to use which is crucial to success and longevity of the gardens.
