From staff reports
Community members may now sign up with Venango Area Community Gardens to request a raised bed for the summer for the use of their neighborhood, church, nonprofit or other community group.
In 2017, about 20 raised beds were placed throughout the community, including locations such as City Hall in Oil City, the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Child Development Centers Inc. and Hand In Hand Christian Counseling.
In 2017, about 20 raised beds were placed throughout the community, including locations such as City Hall in Oil City, the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Child Development Centers Inc. and Hand In Hand Christian Counseling. (Submitted photo)
Multiple raised beds were also placed on the corner of State and East 3rd Streets in Oil City for the neighborhood to use, called the “Southside Gardens.”
This year, an additional 30 raised beds are being built by the Natural Resources Class at the Venango Technology Center.
Soil, compost and plants, also from the tech center, are available to community members who choose to rent a raised bed, and children from Mid-Atlantic Youth Services plan to help deliver and place the beds and materials. Any community member may rent a raised bed, as long as it is used by a community group, not individuals at their residences. Examples of locations include a church, neighborhood, playground or in front of a business or municipality.
This year, the City of Oil City has donated the use of a plot of land where a blighted home was torn down on the corner of Glenview and East Bissell Avenues. Multiple raised beds will be placed at this location.
For the raised beds, a refundable fee of $25 is required, and upon completion of the gardening at the end of the summer, the money will be returned to the community member or group.
Raised beds with soil will be provided, and plants and compost are also available, but it is up to the person or groups renting the garden to maintain it, including planting and weeding.
All who rent a garden will be required to attend an orientation prior to starting gardening and must follow a set of rules.
The deadline to request a raised bed or plot is April 13 and forms can be found at VenangoGardensRequest.
The community gardens committee is also looking for volunteers to help build and maintain gardens and volunteer forms can be found at VenangoGardensVolunteer.
Those interested in joining the Venango Area Community Gardens committee may attend the next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at the Venango Technology Center in Oil City.
For updates and additional information, people may visit the community gardens’ Facebook page at VenangoAreaCommunityGardens.
For any questions or concerns, contact Warren Thomas at warren@baytreefarm.com or (814) 671-3922.
