We have begun creating our garden space to present square foot gardening classes to students, produce food for local shelters, grow indigenous plants and conduct seed saving efforts. This grant has helped our team to expand our knowledge of plants, create a protected garden space, and buy raised beds to be used for square foot gardening. It has been an amazing opportunity that would have not been possible without your support, allowing us to not only create something of beauty but also have an impact within our community. Creating this garden space has allowed our team to be both students and teachers. It has helped us to connect with a network of experienced gardeners, encourage others to create garden spaces that serve as both food and pollen producers, share our knowledge of Ethnobotany, and encourage new gardeners. Over the next month, we will be working to complete the deer fence that surrounds our garden space and connect with the local Montessori School to schedule garden tours and provide students with PlantPure educational materials, a small herb garden and an art project using upcycled items. Lastly, we will continue developing our pod newsletter and hold pod meetings to discuss upcoming projects, encourage healthy eating and practice positive self-care. We will continue to educate others about the importance of a whole-food and plant-based diet. We are truly thankful for your assistance and are very excited to share our progress and ultimately our finished projects.

Funding will be used to create a meaningful, safe, and inclusive community pod that will engage in activities to encourage, support, and educate community members about the importance of whole foods and plant -based diets.

Co-Leaders will create a Square Foot Garden to produce food to use as a donation source for local shelters, pod cooking classes, and as a demonstration tool to engage community members. Subject matter experts and Square Foot Garden support materials will be used to ensure project success.

Additional activities that the community pod will engage/support include, but are not limited to, local gardening and farming efforts, seed exchanges, various gardening classes, bee keeping, and the importance of both mental and physical health.

Covid Safety Plan
• Meeting attendees will wear masks when meetings are to be held inside
• C0-Leaders will provide additional masks if needed
• Masks are optional when meetings are held outside
• Co-Leaders will hold virtual meetings if Covid Numbers increase