Market Farming

[Alliums <garlicgrower AT earthlink.net>]

Hi, Folks!

Here's the article from today's (8/4/04) copy of The Phoenix. 
Remember that agriculture is an infinitely expanding activity and we can
ALWAYS use more volunteers on Tuesday nights.

Also, a HUGE thank-you to Tina Abel, Paul Simon, Carol Henzel and Keasha
for showing up last night for the Tuesday Perennial Volunteer picture
(which unfortunately, wasn't used) and to Bob Noll,
Ray Lisiewski , Ed O'Neill,  and
Dottie 
Doepping for showing up last Wednesday to talk
to the reporter and be photographed!

Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator
St. John's United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden

A mission of 
St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay Street, Phoenixville,
PA  19460


http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12601917&BRD=1673&PAG=461&dept_id=17915&rfi=6

Labyrinth Being Built At St. John's Garden
The Phoenix -- by Kelly Devine


PHOENIXVILLE - Phoenixville's free community
garden is adding a labyrinth to its scenic
tranquility.

The St. John's United Church of Christ
Organic Community Garden is located at 412 Fairview Street, behind Bethel
Baptist Church and the Fairview Housing Project.

"The St. John's UCC garden is a local mission. It is the church
working in a variety of ways within the Phoenixville Community to build
relationships, to provide direct food to those in need and to offer
constructive, tangible work for youth who can then take pride in an
accomplishment that benefits others," said Rev. Linda Gruber, pastor
of St. John's UCC.

The medieval labyrinth is currently being constructed by volunteers and
adjudicated youths. The project began back in June after a grant in May
from the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation. Volunteers are hoping
to have the maze completed by October, but the shale and clay in the
ground are slowing construction

The maze will be 46 feet in diameter with 16-inch-wide mound walls about
knee high. Walking to the center of the labyrinth will take about 15 to
20 minutes. The maze is circular, after the medieval Christian design.
Much geometry went into the planning of the turf labyrinth, which will
use a special three-inch grass used at Mariott Hotels. Forty-five
labyrinths exist in Pennsylvania, including a classical-type stone
labyrinth in town on the old steel property.

"This labyrinth will be here 10 years from now, and people will
still be using it. It's a permanent thing," said garden coordinator
Dorene Pasekoff.

One 20-inch-wide path will lead to and from the center of the maze,
leaving no decisions for the confused souls walking its corridors. The
location has been measured so that the visual field from the maze is in
no way obstructed. 

"The labyrinth is primarily used for meditation, writer's block and
artist inspiration," said Pasekoff. "It was originally meant to
improve mental health, but now that Phoenixville is an art community,
it's also going to fit right into that."

The community garden is also used to teach organic gardening techniques
to the Chester County Juvenile Probation Program and the Mitchell Program
students of St. Gabriel's Hall. Last year, they worked on an herb garden
at the site. Pasekoff said the kids like having their own project. The
youths are part of the volunteer labor that aids with the garden and
labyrinth.

"There's a need for places for kids to do their community service
that are closer," Pasekoff said. "Kids sentenced can come to
Phoenixville and help their own community."

Gleaning volunteer Ray Lisiewski supplies food, talks to the boys and
teaches them life lessons. Teamwork, doing something right the first time
and working smarter, not harder are all stressed.

"It's not just doing something, it's learning," said Ed O'Neil,
who teaches the juveniles how to safely and effectively use the tools in
the field.

"It's people helping people like it used to be," said
Lisiewski.

Perennial Garden Volunteers meet at the award-winning garden after work
until dusk on Tuesdays from March to October. Many volunteer
opportunities exist at the garden for those not interested in having
their own plots. Dogs Pepper and Freckles regularly attend the community
garden, which is open April through November.

The organic garden has been in operation since 1991. Free 25-square- foot
plots are offered to members of the community. Currently, 30 people,
mostly families, occupy the twelve plots of the garden. The plots are
designed to each feed a family of four. 

"I enjoy the friendships I've met here. We share ideas and help each
other," said first year gardener Dottie Doepping. "It just
feels good to pull something from the earth. It's just a fun
thing."

"When you get really good crops, it feels really good. Last year, I
had some good pumpkins," said Doepping's young neighbor
Kurt.

Ten percent of harvests are donated to people in need through the
Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) Food Bank, making the garden
the primary source of in-season fresh produce to the food bank. The
garden also serves as a "plant bank" for the Seed Savers
Exchange and the American Community Gardening Association.

St. John's sponsors the garden that sits on the housing authority's land.
The community garden is part of the Chester County Food Provider Network
and the Chester County Gleaning Program.

"Agriculture is an infinitely expanding activity," said
Pasekoff, who invites the community to come out and enjoy the garden.
Those interested and willing to learn are also asked to help with
labyrinth construction on Tuesdays.

For more information about the St. John's United Church of Christ Organic
Community Garden, contact alliums AT yahoo.com or 610-933-5311.