Bellingham Community Garden Seeks Support
Garden Manager Micky DeFosses (left) stands at the front gate to the Garden as plot holders depart. Garden looks a bit different now that winter has set in.
By David Dunbar
‘Tis the season to be jolly… and generous. So wishes the manager of Bellingham’s Community Garden, Micky DeFosses.
The Garden’s annual fundraising effort began a month ago and is shifting into high gear. It’s offering a variety of ways people can participate and contribute.
“We are fundraising,” explains DeFosses, “to enhance food access for local residents, STEM development through greenhouse growth and educational agricultural training, safety improvements to farm stand/market with utility and construction improvements and continuing to support charitable donations of produce to other non-profits.”
The Garden is located on Center Street at the crossing of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) and Fox Run. DeFosses is heading into her second year as general manager and says, “the Town is supportive of our objectives.”
This past season was “amazing,” she said, with many people supporting the development of the Garden and Farmstand where vegetables grown on the property are available for purchase.
“Our garden improvements included clearing/cleaning of vacant plots to make room for more beautiful greenspace, the addition of a new flower patch in the front of the garden, four newly donated blueberry bushes and one apple tree from the garden manager at Bellingham Home Depot,” reports DeFosses. “Our monthly Farmstand produce donations exceeded 100 pounds of healthy organic produce to support local food charities serving underprivileged communities in five towns.”
How can you help? DeFosses offers four ways:
1) You can help by getting the word out to family, friends and neighbors about our fundraising efforts and goals and encouraging their support if able.
2) Participate in and support one of our events (i.e., May Plant Sale where you can purchase plants, herbs, or flowers for sale to help support our Garden community).
3) Voluntary monetary donations or material donations (no amount is too small). Checks can be made payable to: “Town of Bellingham “ with the memo section of the check stating, “Community Garden/Farm Stand” and mailed to: BCG, P.O. Box 223, Franklin, MA 02038
4) Individuals or companies can sponsor a bush or fruit tree planting. Suggested donations start at $35 per bush and/or $250 per tree.
There are 14 plots available for purchase in the season ahead. You can contact Micky DeFosses about plots, donations, or any other Garden-related questions by emailing her at [email protected] You can also visit the Bellingham (MA) Community Garden and Farmstand Facebook page for more information.
