In a time of both high grocery prices and environmental mindfulness, one solution can be creating a garden.
Sustainable Solano, a countywide nonprofit aimed at offering solutions for more environmental practices, is working to build a network of community and backyard gardens that can support each other through supplies, shared food and education to make the use of locally grown foods more widespread.
Through a partnership with the Solano Department of Public health, Sustainable Solano has established Solano Gardens, a program that seeks to collaborate with members of the community to create a network of edible gardens centered on permaculture principles to provide fresh food, inspiration and company for those in need throughout many areas.
“Sustainable Solano intends to increase in-county food production, supporting communities to grow and process their own food and help eliminate food insecurity,” the agency wrote in a news release. “Building community, health, wealth, and systems of care that are culturally responsive are at the heart of these efforts.”
The program is offering a limited number of chickens, coops, beehives, vertical or container farming and aquaponic kits. The goal is to turn some of the gardens into county hubs that would demonstrate different growing methods, host educational events and supply giveaways, provide kitchen space to share products being grown and creating social enterprises, according to the release.
Another plan is to create a satellite network of home growers with gardens of any size. The program will provide classes and opportunities for gardeners to support one another. In addition to the limited number of supplies offered, donations are also accepted to increase the offerings.
Those who are interested in growing food at their homes and receiving support can fill out a form at Surveymonkey.com/r/ZVKVRH2.