Thanks for the Grand Opening!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the SH Community Garden Coalition and our wonderful community garden!!! "It's Your Community: Dig it!" went fabulously and it would not have been possible without your participation. We look forward to seeing you in the garden soon!!

Here is some information about the event and those who have made the SH Community Garden possible...

Sleepy Hollow's first community garden opened officially on Sunday, June 27th, when village residents from throughout the community, students, and elected officials gathered to celebrate the start of a new initiative in our river towns. Attendees had an opportunity to taste multiple dishes made with produce harvested from the garden as well as take garden tours, give by the very students who had planted and have been tending to the garden. Jan Maltby, a member of the Sleepy Hollow Community Garden Coalition (SHCGC) and volunteer director of Washington Irving School's Greenhouse Kids program, thanked a wide range of people without whom the garden wouldn't exist: the Village of Sleepy Hollow, which donated an initial $5,000 for expenses, Rober Welsch, owner of Westover Landscape Design, who donated his design plans and staff time to create the basic garden infrastructure, volunteer and SHCGC members, Elizabeth Kaplan, who has implemented the gardening plan and scheduling, Ana Lopez, former Hispanic Coalition Director, and Gloria Cepin, community activist who have all helped organize and bring residents into the project.

Others who received commendation were: Mark Soja, 100 College Arms building owner who has leased the garden property to the coalition, attorney, Andres Valdespino who donated his legal services, and schools Superintendent Howard Smith, who has provided school office space, time and program support. This project has truly been a full community effort, bringing constituents together from throughout our river towns.

Fifth grade students at Washington Irving School started the seedlings in their greenhouse and transplanted them to the garden, with the help of their teacher, Mr. White and support of WI Principal, Dr. Greene. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture donated the rich compost and organic mulch, and Slow Food Westchester, a local non-profit organization, is raising funds to keep the garden viable throughout this season and in the coming years. Funds are needed for ongoing maintenance, seeds, benches, tools, and so much more. If you would care to contribute time or donate funds, please visit the garden's blog or contact us at shcommunitygardencoalition (at) gmail.com

Also, check out a short video from "It's Your Community: Dig it!" right here.

Happy Gardening!