The Abundant Harvest Community Garden Outreach is a community garden located in Colorado Springs, CO. The garden started in 2010 by using 2 acres of land donated by Restoration Church. With a zero dollar budget, we obtained enough used material to build four 6 ft. X 50 ft. raised beds. Using community volunteers, we produced 2,264 pounds of produce the first year.
All of the produce harvested was given to the volunteers, local Food Pantry s, and the needy families in the Colorado Springs/Fountain communities.
Inspired by the first successful year and looking closely at the needs of our community, we formed a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit. This was done so that we could develop Training classes (Basic Math, Sales and Basic Marketing) that will give the unemployed volunteers and the needy people who use the local Food Pantry’s, these basic skills, which hopefully will help change their life situations.
For 2011 we increased our garden to fourteen 4 ft. X 50 ft. raised beds with an Automated Drip System to eliminate hand watering–a move that will also conserve water. A portion of the harvest will be sold at local Farmers’ Markets using “Trained” volunteers who will be paid, what remains from produce sales will return to the garden for operating expenses… 20% of what is grown in 2011 will be grown using organic methods, and donations of produce to Food Pantry s will increase by 30%.
Abundant Harvest Community Garden Outreach’s mission is “Planting Seeds to Grow Food and Create Opportunity for People”, we welcome your Advice, your Collaboration, as well as your Financial Support!