Bend’s chilly winter weather might not be optimal for planting seeds, but that does not mean that the Garden Club has been idle.
Two major events are currently in the planning stages. The club is working alongside Central Oregon Locavore and High Desert Food and Farm Alliance to plan the Spring Farm and Food Fair. This event will take place on April 2 in Willie Hall. It will bring local farmers to COCC to educate students about their individual farms and where food comes from in our community. Students can learn about volunteer opportunities and how to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), a program in which shares of a farm’s harvest are offered to the public and delivered once a week.
The annual Mother’s Day fundraiser is currently being arranged. The garden club will take orders and provide students with flower baskets. The money raised will help the club maintain COCC’s garden. In addition to a variety of flowers, the garden also features vegetables and herbs. Throughout the school year, the garden is reserved for students and club members. In the summer months, the garden becomes a community garden and, beginning in April, anyone can apply for a plot.
The Garden Club meets at 1 p.m. on the first Friday of every month in the Multicultural Room. Food is served at the meetings and members gain access to seeds, soil, gardening tools and resources. Club President Wesley Noone encourages students from all backgrounds to join.
“We’re open to anybody with any level of gardening experience,” he said.
Noone also added that many different areas of study, including Biology and Medicine, can benefit from the skills used in gardening. A full calendar of events can be found at the club’s website, http://gardenclubcocc.wix.com/2016. To contact the Garden Club, email [email protected]
Alexis Brooks | The Broadside