The garden, adjacent to the market’s main office (100 N 17th Street), consists of over 18 beds of raised garden containers that will grow vegetables and herbs as a way of giving back to the community.17th Street Farmers’ Market Manager George Bolos describes how the garden came to fruition.
“[The] 17th Street Farmers’ Market approached Venture Richmond with several proposals, one of which was the idea of a neighborhood garden, which they immediately loved,” he explains. “They felt as we did that this was an affordable project that would enhance the surrounding neighborhood.”
The garden project is for neighboring restaurants as well as part of the “Little Sprouts” program for 50 children from faith based organizations who came out and planted the vegetables. Since this project is primarily a children's project, the property was offered to the 17th Street Farmers’ Market at no cost.
Yogi Singh, a volunteer with Venture Richmond, helped recruit construction companies to build the garden plots.
“Having a hand in building the garden, with friends and skilled craftsmen from Capstone Contracting and Kjellstrom and Lee, Inc., was an experience I will remember for a long time,” describes Singh. “I hope this garden will serve as an amenity for the community for years to come.”
While a few businesses in the area asked for and were granted plots in the Community Garden, not just anybody can have a plot in the garden.
“This year it is for our Little Sprouts program,” says Bolos. “Next year we may expand the plots to include others who are interested. We have to take baby steps before we walk.”
In addition to children benefiting from volunteer work, Bolos also wants the garden to benefit Richmond by helping to make the area “green.”
“We are working in partnership with Tricycle Gardens and representatives from Lewis Ginter as a way of introducing Urban Gardening methods to the City of Richmond,” Bolos says. “Specifically, we would like to assist some of the other programs that are happening within the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and promote self-sustaining gardens.”
Restaurants in the area were granted plots in the Community Garden. They are tending to their gardens, harvesting their crops and using the produce and herbs for special features. The other week folks from LuLu’s came down and harvested a big batch of mint. Guess what their special was that night? Shockoe Community Garden Mojiotos!
The Greater Richmond Grid, Voume 1, Issue 1, Summer 2009
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