Three Winneshiek County groups have come together to create and grow a new kind of community garden in Decorah. Master Gardeners and other volunteers will work alongside 4-H members and others who want to learn to cultivate their own vegetables and flowers, providing a unique learning opportunity for the entire community. This year the time will be spent building the garden with the hopes of a few things planted this summer. The mission for the garden is to “provide a safe and accessible garden growing space for the Winneshiek County community. Outreaching to community members through educational opportunities collaborating with 4H members, Master Gardeners, RSVP and the Winneshiek County Extension”.
Individually, the organizations had been working on the concept of a community garden, however, it was when an RSVP volunteer reached out to the Master Gardeners, through the Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach, that the groups realized they were nurturing the same plan.
Deana Hageman, director of the Northeast Iowa RSVP 55+ Initiative, said, “As our group meet initially, we realized we had two significant challenges—space and water.” Partnership with the Extension solved those issues as it had purchased a building on two acres last fall, providing space for the garden and a water source.
The partners were also fortunate in having a significant donor step forward. Named the Vernon and Kathryn Spilde Memorial Community Garden, their family will provide a large portion of the funding to create the garden. Allie McIntyre of Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach said they will also be looking for additional grants and funding to cover remaining costs and additional phases.
Spilde’s son Craig said the family was inspired to contribute to the project because of the values his late parents exemplified. “They had a strong work ethic, not only in relationships to their jobs but also in service to others,” he said. “One of Dad’s first jobs off the home farm was 4-H youth assistant in Winneshiek County. He continued that support of 4-H throughout his life.”
Vernon Spilde served on the Winneshiek County Fair board for 14 years and as fair manager for six years. Although his father held the title, Spilde said, Vernon and his wife Kathryn were a team.
The family was looking for a memorial that embodied Vernon and Kathryn’s values. “The overall educational opportunities provided by this project were important,” Spilde said. “Mom and Dad farmed. Gardening teaches many of the same lessons and utilizes many of the same skill sets, the teamwork involved between the partnering organizations, the intergenerational mentoring and sharing, providing of excess produce for those in need, and certainly the work ethic, the sweat equity, required to make this a successful project.”
Robin Sailor, Master Gardener and owner of Green Belt Landscape Design Solutions, created the overall design of the garden. She said phase one of the plan will include a fenced gardening space of about 90 by 30 feet with raised-bed boxes. Additional phases, she said, could involve continuation of an existing windbreak, a rain garden, herb beds, a fruit orchard, a pollinator garden and a pathway to those spaces.
Spilde will be one of three site co-managers whose role is to coordinate the physical completion of the gardens. “This is an educational garden, and the educational process begins with the construction. Some of the responsibilities we may have on a given work session are to sequence tasks and pair knowledgeable, experienced workers with individuals wanting to learn new skills,” Spilde said.
Volunteers will do the building, installation and teaching. RSVP volunteer Tom Diggins will serve as the project manager. His list of what needs to happen before anything can be planted include prepping the ground surface for the building and installation of garden beds, installing water access, and building a fence. Spring of this year is the target date for starting work on the garden area.
Keith Newhouse, also a Master Gardener, will play a key role in the construction process. “I have a background in plants, including botany, genetics and agronomy,” he said. “I grew up building and fixing things on a dairy farm near Burr Oak, and now that I’m retired, I have more free time to work on these kinds of public service projects.” Pete Vogel and Judy Mowry are Master Gardeners and RSVP Volunteers contributing to the project as well.
The organizers hope the space will be a steppingstone for any community member who is interested in gardening and the fresh produce and flowers it brings but who may be overwhelmed by the process. According to McIntyre, “It’s a community garden – everyone is welcome to harvest or weed anytime during gardening hours”. Spilde said: “Oftentimes a big hurdle in starting something new is knowing where to begin. This garden will provide that beginning. Another hurdle people encounter is underestimating the level of work involved and then becoming discouraged. There is no better educational tool than working alongside someone who is willing to share what their experience has taught them.” Hageman said, “I am hoping this will be a nice venue for intergenerational volunteering.”
As the project progresses, updates will be shared along with information on how to become involved. Winneshiek County Extension and Outreach will be having an open house on April 21. Stop in at 2316 Sweet Pkwy Rd. and check out the project and get more information.
