By Nicole Niebler
Community GroundWorks

In the midst of this cold winter, it’s uplifting to remember that winter’s sister, spring, is quickly approaching. At Community GroundWorks, we welcome and embrace spring with open arms, wide smiles and enthusiasm.

Community GroundWorks is a nonprofit organization that connects individuals to nature and local food. This winter we’ve been planning for the warmer days right around the corner on the 26 acres of land that we steward. Located off of Troy Drive here on the Northside, we manage community gardens, a Kids’ Garden, a farm and much more.

For novice and experienced gardeners alike, we have community garden plots for you to grow your very own produce at Troy Community Garden. We provide over 300 community garden plots on a payment sliding scale to offer affordable gardening space. Registration for community garden plots starts Saturday, March 10.

Want someone else to grow your food? We can do that for you. Troy Farm is a 5-acre diversified vegetable farm that has been growing certified organic produce since 2001. Troy Farm trains aspiring growers through our Beginning Farmer Training Program. The produce our farmers grow is delivered through our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. We offer multiple CSA memberships with payment assistance options, so you can find the perfect share for you and your family. Thursday evening CSA pick-ups at the farm present an excellent opportunity to engage with the land, the farmers and your neighbors. If you live in the community, we want to be your farmers.

This season at Troy Gardens, Community GroundWorks is excited to offer a Troy Gardens Day Camp for children to explore the winding prairie paths, build forts in the forest, grow delicious food and prepare healthy snacks together in the garden.

Additionally, we have field trips for families, individuals and groups at Troy Gardens and at our offsite location at the Goodman Youth Farm from April‒November. Bring the whole family out for a fun-filled afternoon. Each field trip will feature several activities for parents and children of all ages: harvest and cook a healthy snack, plant seedlings, explore the worm compost bins, or create outdoor art.

As spring approaches, we hope to see you on our land and in our community. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore registering for a garden plot at Troy Community Garden, signing up for field trips at Troy Kids’ Garden and the Goodman Youth Farm, and signing up for a CSA share from Troy Farm.

For more information about opportunities at Community GroundWorks, visit our website at communitygroundworks.org.