Community garden eyed for Newport area

With luck, the Newport Library could soon be the home of a new community garden. But to make it happen, the WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension needs the community's help.

Extension officials are seeking a grant through Nature’s Path Gardens for Good, which helps fund community garden projects to grow organic food and nourish communities. This year, the company has expanded its support to give 21 gardens $5,000 each.

The voting period is open until April 7. Once voting closes, the winners will be selected on the number of votes their receive and an internal review.

"The Newport community lives in a food desert and faces high risk for health issues as a result of limited access to healthy food," the group posted in its page about its application. "Inspired by the many individuals experiencing food insecurity and students on free and reduced-price lunch programs, we propose to establish an organic community garden to foster food sovereignty and promote health among all members of our population."

Beverly Sarles, longtime area resident and 4-H youth development and Master Gardener volunteer coordinator for WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension, will serve as garden project manager.

"A garden would elevate our community by allowing residents to grow their own fresh produce and cultivate a space where all can experience a sense of belonging," Sarles said on the site. "Community members with disabilities will be able to safely participate in gardening activities. Individuals experiencing homelessness will have the opportunity to provide for their families with greater ease. Children will gain a safe space to learn and connect."

In addition to serving vulnerable members of our population, Sarles said the garden would create a space for hands-on education to nurture a healthy relationship with food and introduce children to a wide variety of vegetables.

"Most children do not usually eat kale," she said. "However, when they grow it from seed and learn to prepare it in olive oil and bake it into chips, they often love it. Teaching kids where their food comes from, how to grow it, and how to prepare it is key to changing eating behaviors for the long-term."

Support from a local Friends of the Library group and Newport library officials, the group has central location for the garden. In addition, the library offers a remote-learning friendly space for gardening, nutrition, and cooking classes taught by the Washington State University Master Gardener and SNAP-Ed programs.

If the group is selected for one of the grants, Sarles said it would help them make the garden a reality by funding gardening tools and the materials to build raised planting beds.

"This garden will create a haven for our community where everyone feels welcome and has equal access to healthy food," Sarles said.

To vote for the Newport community garden project, Plant a Seed, Feed a Mind, go online to https://bit.ly/3rBKdbx.