Every African American garden teaches a different lesson. But for me a garden says more about the faith of the gardener than the yield of the garden. The Charles Madison Nabrit Memorial Garden in Columbus, Ohio is one of the most recent gardens to join the list of important African American gardens to visit. Under the auspices of Paula Penn-Nabrit, her three sons and other family members, a herculean effort to teach women to fish and to teach a community how to supply its own fresh food are underway. One could go so far as to say, Penn-Nabrit’s garden is a master class on how a garden can build community and make its members more productive.
The Charles Madison Nabrit Memorial Garden honors Penn-Nabrit’s husband who died just over a year ago. CMadison (Darmouth ’74), according to Penn-Nabrit , spent his life creating opportunities for holistic, spiritual, intellectual and physical health in the community. He believed in the ease of movement from critical thinking, careful planning, detailed discussion and brilliant writing to collective and cooperative implementation. The garden, located in a predominantly black, economically depressed community in Columbus, is the ideal way to remember CMadison and contribute something meaningful, tangible, sustainable and reproducible for the larger community.”
There is just one problem:Penn-Nabrit needs our help to finish this community project.
Let me share a little background info about this particular Memorial Garden dream. The garden uses only organic soil, untreated lumber, non-GMO seeds, and organic homemade pesticides. They are using the square foot gardening method to maximize the garden’s yield with 3 feet graveled paths between the raised beds for ease of navigation and enjoyment. The self- sustaining garden is being watered by an above ground drip irrigation system and water is being conserved with rain barrels. Next year’s soil will be built from the treasures in this year’s composters. Seeds will be saved for next year’s plantings; and they have already built three greenhouses for continuous seed propagation.
Paula Penn-Nabrit needs help to finish this community project. I said this already. I know. But I did not tell you how you can help. An indiegogo project was created toward that end.
But first, this is what she needs the money for:
Key Memorial Garden needs include:
($1,300) 50’ X 75’ perimeter fencing
($500) Solar powered motion detector perimeter lights for varmints
($400) Solar powered path lighting for people
($1,000) Trenching, edging, sand, gravel & truck delivery
($500) 2 rain barrels: to harvest rainwater for plant and garden irrigation
($150) 1 large composter
($150) 1 large garden cart
($5,000) 40’ X 20’ Farmer’s Market Tent & Instruction Area
($1,000) Farmer’s Market Supplies: scale, containers, bags, signage
Total needed: $10,000
There will be several harvests. The first began this month. Some of the harvest will supplement the ongoing work of the Bread of Life MInistry at Penn-Nabrit’s church, which services the local homeless population. Some produce will be available to neighbors in the community. The remainder will be used in classes hosted by Telos Training, Inc. These classes include: Canning (hmmm….Homemade Tomato Sauce), Freezing (ahh…the joy of “fresh” Basil all year!) and Pickling (Hot, Garlic-Spiced Dill Pickles are so easy to make).
So here is the ask:
Won’t you please dig down and(seriously) consider making a contribution to make this possible.
You can donate to The Charles Madison Nabrit Memorial Garden and support this worthy cause
by participating at the Indiegogo campaign
Wont you consider helping? I hope that I can count on you. If you have any questions, please post them below in the comments.
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com says
Hi Patricia! What a wonderful cause. Not only is it good for the people who will be eating the food, but for those who participate in the growing and connecting with Mother Earth. I am hoping that Paula finds all the resources and funds necessary to keep this project moving forward. ~Kathy
Patricia A Patton says
Thank you Kathy for reading and sharing. This is coming from a personal desire to serve the community and that is so great.
Paula Penn-Nabrit says
This is such a wonderfully and lovingly constructed piece of writing! I feel so honored and humbled by your efforts on our behalf-thank you, thank you, thank you Patricia Patton!!!