Why Create a Community Garden in Hershey?

There is an electricity around the Hershey Community Garden Project.  The anticipated opening for the community garden is in Spring of 2014, but much work must be completed before next spring.

A community garden can be constructed for many reasons.  However, this project needs many helping hands to make it a reality.  The major benefit of establishing a community garden is that community families, groups, or individuals can produce their own food at little cost.  This saves quite a bit of money on grocery bills and allows families to eat produce that they have grown themselves.  Studies have show that people are more likely to eat food that they have grown themselves.  This would be a great opportunity to make a New Year's Resolution to eat healthier by getting a plot in the Hershey Community Garden!

In addition, gardening has been shown to be therapeutic.  Who would have thought that getting a 'green thumb' can improve your mental and physical health? Gardening also provides exercise, fresh air, and weekly physical activity that community members may not receive on a regular basis.  Some physicians may even prescribe gardening as a preventative measure to fighting illnesses.

Community gardens also have the potential to improve the environment.  Water that is filtered through the community garden helps to keep lakes, streams, and rivers clean.  Community gardens also restore oxygen into the air and help reduce pollution.  Food waste from local businesses can be composted and used as fertilizer in the community garden.  The garden provides a full circle of benefits for many parts of a working community.

Finally, a community garden fosters a sense of community and belonging.  By working together for a common purpose, community gardeners can learn to make communal decisions, solve problems, and work togetherer to benefit the greater good.  Collective garden increases the sense of ownership in a town and fosters the development of community identity and spirit. 

Now the question is--what is your reason to get involved?

~J.C. and H.Y.