In the upcoming months, two new community gardens will be erected in East Pasco County by the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Office, through their Community Gardens Program and with the help of gracious partners like the City of Dade City. The gardens will be located at Watson Park (located on North Avenue & Main Avenue between 17th & 19th Street, Dade City) and the land surrounding the Stallings Building (15029 14th Street) in Dade City. The Watson Park Community Garden is made possible with support from Mayor Camille Hernandez, Michael Sherman, Dade City Commissioners and the University of Florida. The Stallings Building gardens (or urban farm) have been made possible through the recently passed Pasco County Urban Agriculture Ordinance and the cooperation of Pasco County Commissioners and Assistant County Administrator, Cathy Pearson’s guidance. Additionally, many private citizens and companies have donated items and equipment to make these new ventures possible.
Both gardens are located in the low-income communities of Dade City, and are aimed at helping local community members grow/learn to grow their own food. This will give local community members access to fresh fruits and vegetables, in what is currently a food desert. Community members can sign up now for a free garden plot to get started raising their own fresh fruits and veggies. Additionally, money saved on grocery bills, by growing much of the produce a family needs, can be redirected to other areas of these citizens’ lives. Anticipate classes by the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Family Nutrition Program, like Eating Healthy on a Budget and Making Your Own Healthy Snacks, at these locations as well as Horticulture and Master Gardener projects, seminars and growing veggie lessons. Keep posted for updates @PascoExt #pascogardens and our FB page. For more information, please contact Eden Santiago-Gomez at (352-518-0156) and for information about reserving your own plot to garden for free!

0