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About Us
For more details on all of our programs visit our website at www.troygardens.org
Our Programs:
Natural Areas Restoration Stewards Program
Five acres of the Troy Gardens site are being restored to a native prairie and woodland, with tallgrass, shortgrass, and flowering forbs. In addition, the natural areas include an edible forest, including native and cultivated fruit trees and shrubs, herb gardens featuring culinary and Hmong medicinal herbs, and a garden featuring native prairie plants. Trails and a trail guide provide a self-guided tour of the site to visitors.
Community Supported Farm
The Troy Community Farm was established in 2001 as Madison's first urban farm. The farm occupies five acres of the Troy Gardens site. The core of the farm is the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Farm members receive fresh, locally grown, organic produce each week for 21 weeks, beginning in June and ending in October. Through the CSA, members learn to enjoy Wisconsin seasonal food production.
Community Garden Plots
The community gardens are at the heart of Troy Gardens. The gardens provide an entry point for individuals and households to get involved in the whole project. Community gardeners use the land to grow their own food, which has a positive impact on their household food security. Community gardens provide recreational outdoor activity as well as a fun and friendly environment for people of all ages, incomes, and cultures to work the land together and share their gardening knowledge and ideas.
Community gardeners sign up for a plot each spring, paying a minimal fee to help defray the costs of site maintenance and management (tilling, mowing, plot layout, and provision of water, tools, and compost). Gardeners also assist in site maintenance and management through volunteer commitments.
The community gardens also include a special plot with raised beds, for gardeners who have difficulty gardening on the ground.
Kids' Gardening Program
The Kids' Gardening Program provides gardening, arts, nutrition, cultural, and environmental education to low-income youth from Madison's Northside. Kids from area community centers and schools plant and maintain their own garden beds and participate in arts and crafts projects in the children's garden site.
Farm and Field Program
The Farm and Field Youth Training Program in Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Areas Restoration trains low-income and/or minority high school age youth in sustainable farm management and natural areas restoration. Participants acquire knowledge of organic farming, cooking and nutrition, restoration management principles, and marketing, as well as experience working as a team, personal development and skill building, and job readiness skills. Participants receive a stipend for their participation, as well as a great outdoor experience and valuable skills training.
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