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YMCA Community Giving Gardens

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Special Guest

 

Ellen Morar

 Garden Director

from the YMCA Community Giving Gardens joins The Housing Hour to discuss the three community gardens located in Knoxville.    The gardens provide fresh produce to those without access in the Knoxville area. Wonderful partners like  Sow True Seed, Innovative Garden Supply,Cutting Edge Solutions, Greenstalk,Stanley’s Greenhouse, and Keyhole Farm makes the gardens possible.

Most of all, the gardens rely on generous volunteers. Because volunteers donate their time, skills, and supplies, the gardens can continue the to provide fresh, quality produce to those in need.

The three Community Giving Gardens are located at the Davis Family Y, the Cansler Family Y, and on the rooftop of the Lindsay Young Downtown Y. Throughout the 2016 season, the gardens donated over 5,300 pounds of produce to local partner food banks including FISH Hospitality Pantries, Manna House, and the C.A.R.E. Food Pantry.

“The Y is a nonprofit like no other. Serving East Tennessee for over 160 years, we know that lasting personal and social change comes about when we all work together.”

Education

In addition to growing healthy foods, the Y Community Giving Gardens commit to learning.

Features of the gardens include:

  • raised soil and permaculture beds
  • multiple types of hydroponics systems
  • recycled container planters
  • native pollinator gardens
  • drip irrigation to conserve water
  • vermiculture and composting bins
  • chickens

The gardens use all of these features as outdoor classrooms.

If you want to get involved with this community project, contact Ellen. Find out how you can help at one of our three locations. Also, click here to find out about special events and Master Gardener classes at the Y.