From the Boys & Girls Clubs Harford County:
Aberdeen Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Lab
The location of the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club site is considered a food desert, with access to just a corner store and a few fast food restaurants options that offer high-calorie nutrient poor choices and lack affordable healthy options. The Seeds of Change Grant will help us provide the community with an opportunity to access healthy and affordable foods, which is an important way for our community, to achieve positive health outcomes.
Our project will expand on the idea of a traditional community garden turning it into a full-scale interactive learning lab to support nutrition education opportunities by demonstrating how foods are grown and harvested as well as serving as an access point to convey overall healthy habits. Club members will also be exposed to multiple program activities that will be integrated with our STEM programs, providing opportunities to explore specific content areas such as meteorology, water conservation, aquaponics, and overall environmental sustainability.
Creating a thriving garden space is about more than just growing fruits and vegetables—it’s about fostering a deeper connection with nature and cultivating a sense of community. A well-designed garden can serve as an outdoor classroom, where people of all ages learn about sustainability, nutrition, and the delicate balance of ecosystems. By transforming underutilized land into a flourishing green space, neighborhoods gain access to fresh produce while also benefiting from a place to gather, share knowledge, and strengthen bonds.
Raised garden beds, composting stations, and pollinator-friendly plants can all contribute to a more holistic approach to food production and environmental awareness. These elements encourage hands-on learning, allowing individuals to see firsthand how their efforts lead to tangible results, whether through a bountiful vegetable harvest or the return of beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
A thoughtfully planned garden, such as those designed by Sugar Green Gardens, takes this vision a step further by incorporating sustainable practices that ensure long-term success. Using drought-resistant plants, implementing efficient irrigation systems, and creating designated areas for composting help maintain the health of the soil while reducing waste.
Community gardens that integrate educational programs also pave the way for healthier lifestyle choices by teaching participants the value of fresh, organic food. Whether it’s through urban farming initiatives or backyard gardening projects, these spaces provide vital opportunities for people to reconnect with nature, nourish their bodies, and build a future where food security and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Vote for a stronger, healthier community! Boys & Girls Clubs Harford County–Aberdeen Club competing for $20,000 grant from organic food and seed company Seeds of Change to build an Aberdeen Community Garden. Visit Seeds of Change at http://goo.gl/GG7vSN and press “VOTE”! You can vote once per day until April 27.
Im all for eating good and a decent garden. but TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS? Of Tax payer money?
Seriously, what a joke. Perhaps solicit local nurseries, tractor supply, or a real friggin farmer. Could be done for A LOT less.
Ask former councilman Farmer Lance to help as part of his community service. Dude grew great tomatoes, and weed.