LYNNWOOD—In response to rising food costs and an increase in demand for food at local food banks, Snohomish Conservation District is partnering with Verdant Health Commission to pilot Harvest at Home, a free program to increase access to food gardening for residents of South Snohomish County.
Harvest at home will provide access to vertical gardening kits, a method of growing plants on vertical structures, which is ideal for people with limited space. The pilot will partner with community organizations Homage and the Washington West African Center to connect to seniors who have space and resource limitations along with an interest in growing their own food. Participants will attend a workshop where they will learn how to successfully grow several culturally relevant foods on vertical structures.
Through this program, two edible community gardens will be developed. One will be in partnership with the Edmonds Boys and Girls Club. A community garden will allow them to start a gardening club to educate and engage elementary students in after school and summer programs. The second garden will be at SeaMar Community Health Center in Lynnwood who will incorporate gardening into health education programs that promote nutrition as a means to manage conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Additionally, educators will facilitate a four-part Harvest at Home curriculum in upper elementary classes. These lessons will teach students about nutrition and encourage them to try vertical gardening at home. Children and their families can participate in cooking demonstrations and planting workshops to learn how to grow and prepare healthy foods as a family.
To learn more about the Harvest at Home program, please email pcrispin@snohomishcd.org or call 425-535-0530. If you would like to learn about the free gardening and urban agricultural technical assistance available in your area, email outreach@snohomishcd.org.
Snohomish Conservation District is one of 45 conservation districts in Washington State. Established in 1941, Snohomish Conservation District works with residents on a voluntary basis to implement best management practices on their land.
Verdant Health Commission, also known as Public Hospital District No. 2, Snohomish County, is dedicated to ensuring quality healthcare is available to all residents in South Snohomish County. It is a public organization that owns the Edmonds hospital campus currently leased to Swedish. Since 2011, Verdant has invested $87 million dollars in the community by funding nonprofits that provide free or low-cost access to health programs and services. Learn more at www.verdanthealth.org.
Source: Verdant Health Commission
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
