Nokomis East Food Garden growing at St. James Episcopal

Article and photos by MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN

St. James Episcopal Church, 3225 E. Minnehaha Pkwy., is expanding their onsite garden and, with the help of neighborhood volunteers, starting to grow fresh produce for the Minnehaha United Methodist Church Food Shelf.

The first big workday for the food shelf garden was held on Sat., Apr. 29. Four wooden, raised beds were built by more than two dozen volunteers, and a second row of cinder blocks was added to the five existing beds. Planting days were held on the two following Saturdays.

Photo right: Volunteer gardeners have signed contracts indicating they are willing to work a minimum of two hours per week on the food shelf community garden for the 2017 growing season. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome to apply.

Lauren Hazenson, Program and Communications Manager for the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA), explained the evolution of the garden design and mission. “The idea for the Nokomis East Food Garden came out of a series of conversations between members of NENA’s Green Initiatives Committee and the community. We’re already connected to two strong garden projects: the Nokomis Naturescape at 50th St. and Nokomis Pkwy., and the Gateway Gardens at 50th St. and the old Hiawatha Train Station.”

“We wanted to partner with an existing garden site to grow food and, ultimately,” Hazenson said, “the partnership that emerged included St. James Episcopal, Lake Nokomis Lutheran, and Minnehaha United Methodist churches. We surveyed church members and it was clear that they wanted to grow food for the purpose of being distributed at the local food shelf. People are also welcome to join us who are unaffiliated with these churches, but who are excited about the garden’s mission. The food shelf at Minnehaha United Methodist serves more than 600 clients each month; they’re open on Tuesdays from 10am-3pm, in the church basement at 3701 E. 50th St.”

Photo left: St. James Episcopal Church member Ted Gerold worked at building one of the four new 4’ X 8’ raised beds. Food shelf clients were asked what vegetables they would prefer, and the response was unanimous: tomatoes. All four of the new beds will be dedicated to growing different kinds of tomatoes.

This will be the third season for the garden at St. James Episcopal, but the first with a focus on feeding clients of the food shelf. The original idea for a garden on the church property came from Eagle Scout Ian Shea, whose uncle formerly pastored there.

St. James church member Anne Scheibel has been one of the driving forces behind the new partnership. “We have been so lucky with the volunteers who’ve come forward,” she said. “Our gardeners are informed and passionate about what they do. We’ll be figuring out regular gardening times if people want to come and volunteer together. What we’ve seen so far has been a nice mix of ages and experience levels. When we get together there’s been a lot of conversation and networking about things related to the garden and well beyond. It’s a great way to meet new people and improve your gardening skills.”

Community gardens add beauty to the neighborhood and heighten people’s awareness and appreciation for living things. There will be an Open House for interested gardeners at the garden site on Thur., June 15, 6-8pm. For more information, contact NENA’s Lauren Hazenson at 612.724.5652 or lauren.hazenson@nokomiseast.org.