iMesa Community Garden InitiativeiMesa Community Garden

Welcome to the iMesa Community Garden page. Be sure to check back frequently for updates. To sign up for EMAIL ALERTS for garden updates, go to our subscription page and select "Living Green Events."

 

NEWS! 

Proposal presentations: were made on Tue. April 24. Two lead groups, Agape Community Services and Mesa Urban Garden are looking at possibly partnering up to get a downtown garden started. Two sites are being seriously considered, however, Metro Light Rail is looking at one site for a construction yard as they will soon start the construction of light rail along Main Street into and eventually through Downtown Mesa. The good news is that they are interested in providing some sponsorship for the garden - especially if located on a shared property. Discussions are moving forward. For more information, contact Donna DiFrancesco at 480-644-3334.

 

"From Idea to Action Plan" submittals were turned in on Feb. 16! Six submittals were received.

 

Dig In! Steps to Starting a Community Garden took place on Sat. Jan. 21.

If you missed our program, you're in luck! Our speaker, Doreen Pollack, Executive Director of the Valley Permaculture Alliance, agreed to maker her presentation availalbe.

 

Learn more about the iMesa Community Garden Initiative

The iMesa Community Garden Initiative grew from a citizen recommendation to Foster the development of an "Urban Garden" in an empty parcel(s) close to Downtown/ Farmers Market

This popular idea has generated a lot of interest on the iMesa site and the City is looking to connect with citizens on this initiative.

iMesa is a grassroots citizen driven effort to develop transformative community projects that will "Build a Better Mesa."

Benefits of a Community Garden

Gardeners around a raised bedA Community Garden occurs when you take a piece of land and share it with friends, neighbors and community groups for growing vegetables, fruits and flowers. Benefits to the larger community include beautifying the area, turning unused spaces into productive spaces and numerous environmental benefits. Many community gardens also provide food to local food banks.

Individual benefits include increasing feelings of community involvement and pride, health benefits from eating nutritionally rich foods and from increased activity for physical health. Community gardens provide "hands-on" learning opportunities about gardening, the natural world, food and nutrition and more. A quote from Mesa's Care Partnership website sums it up best:

This experience taught us that the community garden produces much more than food; it is a place where a sense of belonging and relationships between people from all walks of life easily evolve.

Getting Involved

Here are ways to get involved

  1. Leadership Team - Would you, your group or organization like to get a garden up and running and establish a Steering Commitee to keep the garden running? The City of Mesa is requesting a call to members of the community for leadership by requesting "From Idea-to-Action Plan" submittals. Deadline was Feb. 16, 2012. 

  2. Management Team - Would you like to participate with the Leadership Team or be on the Steering Commitee? Are you good at fundraising, organizational or administrative skills or do you have gardening expertise you'd like to share?  Add your name to our list!

  3. Sponsorship - Would you like to sponsor the garden by providing funding or donations of needed items (tools, shed, etc.) Contact us.

  4. Rent a Plot - Are you interested in renting an available plot at the garden? Sign up for our EMAIL ALERTS to learn more about garden updates and when plots might be available (see #5).

  5. Community Garden EMAIL ALERTS - To sign up, go to our subscription page and select "Living Green Events."and follow instructions. These alerts notify Mesa residents of sustainable and green living programs, events and opportunities in the community.

Other Community Garden Sites in Mesa

 If you know of a Community Garden that we haven't featured, e-mail us.      

Our Favorite Community Gardening Resources

 

 

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Mesa, AZ 85201

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