Input needed on Poplar Bluff community garden effort

The Butler County Community Resource Council wants help in deciding if Poplar Bluff could use a third community garden and where it might be located. Anyone completing a gardening survey before 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, will be entered in a drawing for a second $50 gift card.

About 100 people responded to an earlier survey and one lucky person, Sally Kelly, won a card for her efforts.

Amal Saleh, CRC community coordinator, would like to hear from 900 more people and there is another gift card being offered to someone taking the survey.

“Please complete the survey,” Saleh said. “Your words matter and your thoughts matter. Do not be afraid of getting involved with the community.”

The survey is an effort to expand community gardens to improve the lives of children and families, and the CRC is asking for the public’s input.

The CRC is partnering with the University of Missouri Extension and the Butler County Health Department. South Central Missouri Action Agency and Three Rivers College are also working in conjunction with the Butler County Wellness Council committee, which is open to the public, Saleh said.

Marge VanPraag volunteers with the community gardening project. She hopes folks not only take the survey, but they start gardening in one of the community spots.

“The primary goal of our community garden is to allow people to have a place to garden when they do not have a place of their own,” VanPraag said. “Most people tend to plants for their own use, and share if they have extra bounty. It is usually for personal use and your own responsibility. We grow both vegetables and flowers.”

VanPraag explains a huge advantage of community gardening is shared resources: tools, equipment, seeds, plants, even time and knowledge.

“If I had to be out of town, I can ask a fellow gardener to water my plants and return the favor as needed,” VanPraag said. “If I never had a garden before, I can ask about the basics, how to get started, bug and disease remedies, preservation and even cooking ideas.”

It is more fun to do things together, VanPraag said.

“It can be a family affair,” VanPraag said. “We received a grant to build some raised garden beds, which would make it easier for anyone with mobility issues to be able garden now. We are excited to welcome new gardeners this spring.”

Wellness committee members include health professionals, community members, parks and recreation professionals, prevention educators and researchers.

They are asking residents to participate in the survey to determine the level of interest in the project and its location, Saleh said.

By obtaining enough data, the group hopes to help low-income individuals and families access healthy foods by locating the gardens in areas where there is the most need and interest. Saleh said this would be the third community garden in Butler County, as there already is one by the Butler County Health Department and another near Sycamore Plaza on Ida Street.

The goal of having an additional garden is to make it more accessible to communities not nearby the two existing ones. The garden near the health center is handicapped accessible. There is a parking lot next to the garden, which is accessible from Hendrickson Park, too.

Saleh said, “We would greatly appreciate it if you could take our brief survey and share it with your network.” The survey will be located at www.thecrc.org.

The CRC has decided to offer an incentive of a $50 gift card to one lucky person who answers the survey. A winner will be announced after 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, on social media.

Saleh said, aside from the drawing, residents will have the opportunity to enjoy a scenic space, learn how to garden, save money on groceries, improve their overall health and be an active member of the community.

Visit the website at www.thecrc.org and follow directions to take the survey, which will ask the following questions:

• 1. Would Poplar Bluff benefit from having a community garden?

• 2. Are you interested in volunteering at the community garden?

• 3. Please tell us more about why you’d be interested in volunteering? If you aren’t interested in volunteering, why not?

• 4. If you participate in the community garden, what would you be most interested in? An individual plot for you and your family, a shared plot to work with others and share what you grow or another type, but please specify.

• 5. If you participate in the community garden, what types of plants are you interested in growing?

Fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs or others.

• 6. How much time would you be willing to spend in the community garden?

• 7. How much do transportation-related challenges prevent you from becoming involved with participating in the community garden?

• 8. Do you have any physical limitations (standing, walking, kneeling, reaching, etc.) which would prevent you from participating in the community garden?

• 9. What is your gender?

• 10. What is your age?

• 11. What is your first name?

• 12. What is your street address?

• 13. How may we contact you?

• 14. Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?

After gathering input on the project, the Wellness Council would apply for a grant to cover the costs of constructing a garden. The hope, she said, is to have it open by spring.

They’re also looking for volunteers, she said, to help maintain the garden once it’s up and running.