Community Gardens

I've wanted to work with community gardens for a long time, but I've never made the effort to make this goal happen. I even considered, after graduation in May, volunteering to work on a small, organic farm in the southeast. If I can't find another job, that's probably where I'll end up. Community gardening appeals to me since I admire the communal life, living and working beside people without all of the hub-bub of individual ownership. I wouldn't mind sharing a cooking space or living space if these people in question had some of the same ideals as me. I like the urban garden movement especially the efforts made by Macon Roots in the downtown Macon area.  There is now a weekly market on Mulberry street that caters to those who want to buy produce, milk or eggs, or meat from local growers. I think it's a wonderful idea, allowing people to eat locally grown food and that which has not been grown in huge, impersonal commercial farms. I don't agree with commercial agriculture, thus I switched to a pescetarian diet almost 3 years ago.

Some hazards that come with urban gardening are pollution, both point source and non-point source. Because of the high rates of impervious surface in urban areas, there is a lot of runoff including fertilizers, pesticides, and vehicle chemicals. Litter is also a problem.  The air pollution from vehicles and industry affects the soil and water used with the gardens. Gardening can also be expensive, especially at the beginning. The urban garden fad is catching on in the United States, and I am so excited for where it takes our sense of community.