The China Community Garden

The China Community Garden is a new initiative to unite residents through a shared interest in gardening and fresh produce. The garden will offer 36 raised beds for rent, with a planned spring workshop to teach gardening.

Imagine a thriving community garden where neighbors of all ages grow fresh produce, share gardening tips, and build lasting friendships — together, we can make this vision a reality! Greetings! We represent the China for a Lifetime Committee from the Town of China. Recently, we had a group of residents start a Community Garden initiative.

This China Community Garden would be a place for residents to gather and learn more about gardening.It would allow locals a place to grow produce and flowers to benefit themselves while extra vegetables being donated to the local food pantry. It will also allow for multi-generational interactions while gardening and provide a learning area for local schools and clubs.

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED! 
We need
Soil
Fencing Materials
Storage Shed
Cash to buy supplies

Check out the Community Garden’s Facebook Page!

The garden beds, built by volunteers, for the China Community Garden are resting by the red barn at the corner of Lakeview Dr. & Alder Park Rd.
In the spring the beds will be laid out, then filled with enhanced garden soil at a cost of $40 each. Only with your help–and money for soil and the fencing!–will the garden be ready to celebrate a Grand Opening in early May. Contact the China Community Garden Committee at chinaforalifetime.gmail.com.
Meanwhile, folks are signing up at the Town Office for one of the 4′ x 8′ beds. The fee is $25/yr, $15 for seniors over 60.

The goal is to have (36) 4’x8’ raised garden beds as well as a larger common garden area to house pollinator plants, herbs, etc. The garden would be placed in a predetermined location close to the town office. Using resources from the University of Maine Cooperative Extensions and other community garden examples, we have come up with a garden “master plan” which has been presented to the Town of China selectboard for approval. Or next step is the need to generate donations or sponsorship commitments to prove funding for the project. This is where we are hoping you could help.

The current estimated cost of starting this project is just under $5,000. We are hoping that some our local businesses and residents will make a commitment for a donation of goods such as building materials, mulch, compost or soil, picnic tables, etc. or to become a sponsor of a garden bed for a financially challenge household to utilize. We will find ways to recognize these generous examples of support with plaques or signs to help inspire others to possible donate in-kind. Businesses and individuals would also be recognized on social media and on the China Community Garden page on the China for a Lifetime website.

If you would like to help support the community garden initiative, please let us know. We must show statements of commitment for goods or monetary donations when we present the next phase to the selectboard at an upcoming meeting. We hope you will be able to join us by supporting the community garden in any way that you can. Any level of support would be greatly appreciated, and we are always open to alternative suggestions if you have any.

Please let us know at your earliest convenience if you can help. Without our community and local businesses’ support, this amazing initiative would not be possible. We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your attention.