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Community Garden Greenhouse Now Complete Farmers Market Event Planned August 13th

Garden volunteers stand proudly in front of the new greenhouse they built (garden manager Micky DeFosses is at the far right wearing a face mask).

By David Dunbar
The next step toward a fully-functioning, attractive Bellingham Community Garden has been taken with the addition of a new greenhouse.
Garden volunteers were putting the finishing touches on the new 10-foot by 20-foot greenhouse last month. “This will enable us to do seedling cultivation and extend the growing season,” explains Micky DeFosses, garden manager.

 Work truck from RJD Construction provided donated materials for the greenhouse along with tools for the volunteers.

The garden will donate about 200 pounds of vegetables to underserved communities this year, says DeFosses, and the new greenhouse will help.  “I’m excited. I love it.
“I’d like to thank our volunteers,” she continues, “who came together to help enliven our project and make it a success.” The project includes beautifying the entire garden space (located on Center Street in Bellingham at the SNETT crossing), cultivate the land, address food insecurity, and start a non-profit organization that will benefit the community. Funding comes from grants and donations, including from the Town of Bellingham, RJD Construction, and the MA Department of Agriculture.
“We’re at about 90% capacity right now,” DeFosses explains, and she suggests that if you would like to purchase a garden plot “wait until fall enrollment when we will have a few more spots available.”
Among other accomplishments so far this season is a complete refurbishing of the farm stand which is clearly visible from the outside. New doors, a window, and a porch with a roof improve the looks and function of the structure. Inside, there are defined spaces for garden tools and to display vegetables for sale.
On August 13, from 10am until 2pm, a “farmers’ market” will be open. You can come to purchase vegetables, meet vendors, and enjoy snacks, drinks, and music. It’s free.
DeFosses’ interest in gardening began with her mother many years ago while living on Long Island. Mom was a widow, raising seven children and holding down a full-time job as a nurse. “She would come home from work,” recalls DeFosses, “and turn her attention to our garden. She would plant, grow, beautify… I get my motivation from her.”
You can find out more about the MA Bellingham Community Garden on its Facebook page. You can email Micky Defosses with questions about becoming a plot holder at [email protected]
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