OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – For the last year, Omaha resident Maurine Shepherd has stopped by her local community garden located right down the street from her home.
“I just like the atmosphere, it’s like relaxing,” Shepherd told First Alert 6. “You can sit here for hours and not have to worry about a thing.”
Maurine comes to City Sprouts off Seward Street in Omaha. It is a great way for her to get out and grab a few things she needs.
“Gives me a chance to just come here and relax and be able to pick vegetables and their pantry is awesome,” said Shepherd.
City Sprouts tells First Alert 6 more neighbors like Maurine are harvesting in the garden.
“Nighttime, evenings, all through the day, families, all sorts of people, we have a lot of foot traffic that comes through here,” said City Sprouts Manager of Community Programs Shannon Kyler.
Kyler tells First Alert 6 along with increased foot traffic in the garden, attendance at workshops are up.
“We used to have to cancel classes, sometimes because we did not get enough people and that hasn’t happened much this year, it kind of depends on the topic,” said Kyler. “But yeah, we usually have anywhere at our classes and small events usually a dozen or up to 35 people who come.”
She says some have even called the nonprofit about starting their own community garden. “It is not something we do, helping people start community gardens, but we are always happy to share some resources and point some people in the right direction,” said Kyler.
Interest comes as produce prices rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, farm prices for fresh and dry vegetables rose almost 40% in July compared to the previous year.
“If you have the space to grow food, it’s pretty inexpensive, especially if you can grow things from seed or you can get seedlings for a really low cost,” said Kyler. “I know you can buy seedlings with SNAP, EBT cards as well, which is really awesome. You can buy that one tomato plant for a couple bucks that gives you a hundred tomatoes.”
If you have an apartment, Kyler says there are greens and hydroponics you can grow on a countertop. “I know a lot of people if you have a little balcony are growing little things in pots,” said Kyler. “You can grow things like tomatoes and peppers, if you have some sun on your balcony.”
Kyler says other community gardens in the metro offer plots you can rent to grow food. “Dundee Community Garden, Benson Community Garden are a few that are really amazing,” said Kyler.
If you are planning on starting your own community garden, you will first have to find a public space or rentable plot. Shannon Kyler also recommends getting your soil tested before you plant. “Look up the address on Omaha’s lead registry and make sure the soil has been remediated because lead is bad news when you are growing vegetables,” said Kyler. City Sprouts offers free lead testing as well.
Stopping by City Sprouts have helped Maurine Shepherd save some money on produces. “I have gotten like a lot of vegetables like their tomatoes and their beets things like that,” said Shepherd.
Thursday City Sprouts celebrated its 30th year in operation and some new additions to the garden thanks to a Greener Together grant. Improvements include new sidewalks, sensory plants, a solar panel and more.
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