We have had our first Spring work party to prepare for the growing season, thank you to our volunteers for your hard work! The beds are looking great and the greenhouse is ready to plant our vegetable starts. Stay tuned for more work parties to come.
The Atalanta Cooperative Garden has openings for both working and non-working members this year. Located on the north bank of Willow Creek, the garden is in its 18h year on the Atalanta project land. The garden has been producing food for members, as well as the Food Bank and La Puente, each summer with the help of working members. Only organic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are used in the garden. Our water is from our solar powered well.
Part of our mission is to share the experience of growing food and healthy eating. Last year we were honored to have mothers and preschoolers visit from Alamosa to help with the final harvests and a recipe exchange. We look forward to more of these opportunities in the upcoming growing season.
A wide variety of veggies are grown each year from asparagus to potatoes, greens to tomatoes, peas and beans, peppers and radishes, carrots, garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, parsnips, broccoli, cabbage, winter and summer squash and herbs. An orchard is being established with apple, plum, and cherry trees and berry bushes. Members may also purchase eggs and goat milk from Atalanta.
Members can sign up for ½ or full shares. A full working share is $50 and a non-working share is $250. A full share is generally enough for a family of four. Share contents and amounts change and increase throughout the growing season. Non-working members have their shares delivered while working members take their share home after harvest each week. Working members help with planting, harvesting and maintaining the garden which is watered by soaker and drip irrigation on timers.
We are happy to share that after submitting a proposal the garden was chosen to participate in a crowdfunding effort sponsored by SeedMoney, a nonprofit offering financial and technical support to public food garden projects. We quickly surpassed our initial fundraising goal and raised enough money to fund some wonderful improvements. The improvements include table height planting beds for those with difficulty kneeling or bending that will be accessed by a new firm pathway suitable for chairs, stools or walkers. The expanded goal also includes funds for improving the solar powered water system. Thank you to everyone who donated!
We are looking forward to another productive and fun year. Email for information and to sign up: contact@atalanta.org Joanna.