"URBAN GARDENS" BY: DANI CRONCE - BINGHAMTON COUNCILWOMAN

Urban Gardens

Written by: Dani Cronce – 05/22/2016 – Released 05/24/2016 – 4:11PM ET

 

 

I grew up on the country side near Lake Ontario. Blankets of snow covered the rolling hills during the winter. In the spring beautiful blossoms bloomed. The woodlands would come to life and the birds would sing their love calls.

It was during the spring that my mother would gather us kids to start weeding the large garden we cared for. I still remember how delicious the fresh vegetables tasted. The beauty of growing our own food was installed in me at a young age.

The ability to unite with nature is very important to me. Urban gardens are a great way for people to connect with the earth and the community. I am proud to be a co-coordinator of the Mather Street VINES Garden. I will be volunteering every Thursday from 4-5pm starting in June.

I see this as a way to teach the community about something that is both simple and beautiful. I am also reaching out to the community to stop by and learn some garden skills. I have a plot that I am sharing with the neighbors. Please feel free to stop by and see what is growing.

Urban gardens bring fresh vegetables directly to the people. Many urban diets lack the fresh produce that the country dwelling residents have. Local gardens can bring healthy, quality food to the city. The need for produce is high in the city. Grocery store deserts are affecting Binghamton as well. The Northside lacks a local grocery store. Many city residents do not have vehicles. This makes it difficult for them to go grocery shopping. We have an inequality among us to offer healthy food.

VINES has several Farm Share locations to help alleviate the lack of local produce suppliers. The Farm Share offers quality produce in Binghamton. It is easy to sign up for a farm share which contains several different vegetables. There are small and large share sizes to choose from.

 

The locations are:

Saving Grace Arts Center Tues. 2:00-4:00PM, 2654 Main Street Whitney Point Main Street Farms

Lee Barta Community Center Tues. 3:30-5:30 PM, 108 Liberty St. North Side Main Street Farms

United Presbyterian Church Thurs. 4:00-6:00 PM, 42 Chenango St. Downtown Binghamton Urban Farm Shared Roots Farm

Roosevelt Elementary Fri. 2:30-4:30 PM, 9 Ogden St. North Side Early Morning Farm North Windsor Berries 

Carlisle Apartments Fri. 3:30-5:30 PM, 150 Moeller St. East Side Early Morning Farm North Windsor Berries

Tabernacle United Methodist Church Fri. 4:30-6:30 PM, 83 Main Street West Side Early Morning Farm North Windsor Berries

 

You can fill out a Farm Share Application or rent a seasonal community garden plot at http:vinesgardens.org

 

Gardening offers a time for us to slow down and really talk and appreciate each other’s company. Busy hands can make time for quiet thoughts and lengthy talks. I hope that my neighbors will share some of their time with me this summer. Hanging out with friends and neighbors in an urban garden is an awesome way to spend a day.

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