EXCITING NEWS FOR THE COMMUNITY GARDEN
PLEASE READ BELOW
PLEASE READ BELOW
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The Gooding Soil Conservation District (GSCD) and University of Idaho Extension (UI Extension) in Gooding County Idaho, announced they were awarded an urban agriculture conservation grant from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost technical capacity nationwide.
The Gooding SCD and UI Extension are very excited about receiving the 2019 NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant in the amount of $42,000. This grant will allow the District to create learning opportunities in our Community Garden that will support the local food needs and community education on urban and agricultural conservation practices. Our community will learn and benefit from their hands-on involvement in growing a variety of garden vegetables. We will have plots available for residents. We will also have several plots managed by volunteers to grow produce for in-need community members and organizations. The garden will feature several conservation practice demos including: pollinator habitat, low demand and xeriscaping gardening, water run-off collection and infiltration, cover crops, composting and more. “This is truly an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Thank you so much NACD for choosing the Gooding SCD to represent your goals,” said Kay Hults, Chairman of the board.
The GSCD was one of 20 conservation districts across 14 states to receive funding. NACD and NRCS established the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to help conservation districts and their partners provide much-needed technical assistance for agricultural conservation in developed or predominantly developing areas.
The Gooding SCD and UI Extension are very excited about receiving the 2019 NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant in the amount of $42,000. This grant will allow the District to create learning opportunities in our Community Garden that will support the local food needs and community education on urban and agricultural conservation practices. Our community will learn and benefit from their hands-on involvement in growing a variety of garden vegetables. We will have plots available for residents. We will also have several plots managed by volunteers to grow produce for in-need community members and organizations. The garden will feature several conservation practice demos including: pollinator habitat, low demand and xeriscaping gardening, water run-off collection and infiltration, cover crops, composting and more. “This is truly an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Thank you so much NACD for choosing the Gooding SCD to represent your goals,” said Kay Hults, Chairman of the board.
The GSCD was one of 20 conservation districts across 14 states to receive funding. NACD and NRCS established the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to help conservation districts and their partners provide much-needed technical assistance for agricultural conservation in developed or predominantly developing areas.
Tom Woodland, High School FFA Teacher, Running Bear, Community member, Joe Pavkov, Supervisor and Mario De Haro, U of I extension coordinator, throwing out ideas and options for the community garden.
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CORN PLANTER
The Gooding SCD was able to purchase this small 2 row corn planter for the garden through a grant from the Northwest Farm Credit Service. SOIL HEALTH DEMONSTRATION PLOT
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Everyone wants to get in on the fun! Bill Likely, from the Northwest Farm Credit Service, awards the Gooding SCD a check in the amount of $4000 for a "U PICK" project. This money will be used to purchase a high tunnel to extend the growing season for gardeners in the community.
COOL COVER CROP
The Gooding SCD and NRCS gave a presentation on a poster contest that we put on annually while teaching them the importance of soil health.
Here we have students from the North Valley Acadmey listening intently to Barbara Messick as she gives a presentation on the poster theme " Dig Deeper" and what it means. As they learn what is beneath there feet and the importance of Soil!
