CORPORATE COMMUNITY GARDENS
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Pam Bennett
State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, ANR Educator
Ohio State Univeristy Extension
SPRINGFIELD
Abstract
Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) of Clark County along with Ohio State University Extension staff manage the local Way to Grow Community Garden program. In 2010, we invited corporate partners to join the project and help by raising vegetables at their sites to be donated to the local food bank. Benjamin Steel and Gordon Food Services joined the program and developed a garden at their company sites. Benjamin Steel used the project as an incentive towards employee health care costs and Gordon Food Services used it towards their sustainability and green efforts. \r\n\r\nMGVs served as mentors to assist the companies with developing the sites as well as serve as a resource. MGVs also had a 10,000 square foot garden at the Extension office with all produce raised being donated. Between the MGV garden and the 2 corporate partners, over 4,700 pounds of produce was given to the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. Both companies had positive experiences and are excited to have a garden and will make some changes for 2011. We are in the process of recruiting additional corporate partners for 2011. This presentation will discuss the challenges and benefits involved in developing corporate partners in the community garden project.
Authors: Bennett, P.
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Bennett, P. State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, ANR Educator, Ohio State Univeristy Extension, Ohio, 45502