This is the ninth year for the community garden that was started by Holli Green and continues to operate, with the help of Jason Vogel and their volunteers. This year it will be taking a new approach towards fighting hunger in the city of Pekin with the support of the Pekin Park Foundation and Parkside Fitness.

The Learning Garden is relocating within Mineral Springs Park next to the historic train depot off Broadway Rd. The new location will offer a much larger space to produce locally grown organic food for the community. The mission is to help fight hunger for those who are the most vulnerable and potentially facing food insecurities. Holli and Jason are excited about the changes and the possibilities to make a difference within the community. The plans are to install a resilient sustainable local food system where members of the community can volunteer and receive fresh organically grown produce for their participation. Additionally, people will be able to purchase produce onsite with their SNAP or WIC benefits. This allows families to access healthy nutritious foods at a price lower than they will find at the grocery stores. As the garden expands, they hope to be able to offer the same lower priced foods to more members of the community. The revenue received from the sales will go towards the costs to maintain and operate the garden. 

Another addition to the community garden this year is the creation of an onsite regenerative gardening learning center where people can take classes to learn the necessary skills that will enable them to maintain a successful garden. Jason Vogel, the Director of Cultivation and Garden Education will be teaching classes this spring and hosting various workshops throughout the season. To sign up for the classes contact Parkside Fitness 309.347.6644. They are currently running a promotion for anyone signing up for the 10 class program you will receive a seed starting package valued at $100. Offer ends April 11th. The idea of planting a vegetable garden and growing our own foods sounds good but it takes knowledge and planning that not everyone has. Jason’s classes will provide the information to give you the confidence needed to successfully guide you through the process. 

The garden has been adopted under the Pekin Park Foundation’s 501C non-profit status. This enables them to apply for grants to help with the build-out costs, create programs for kids to learn, and help with labor costs associated with running the garden. This also opens the door to accepting donations, which will be made to the foundation and held in an account specially for the garden. If you are interested in being involved, there are multiple ways you can be part of this community project. You can volunteer https://rebrand.ly/gardenVOL, donate https://rebrand.ly/PPFgarden, or sign up for classes at 309-347-6644. They invite anyone to stop by and see what’s growing on in Pekin!