Meeting planned to preserve community garden
PUTNEY - Green Commons of Vermont was formed to preserve a 1.2-acre plot of land located in the heart of town that, for more than a decade, has been home to the Putney Community Garden and the Putney Farmers' Market.
The Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (WWHT) is in the process of purchasing the parcels from Gateway Associates. This past summer, community members came together because of its importance as an agricultural and community commons.
The two organizations, working together to create a community village, have agreed to divide the property.
Green Commons will buy a parcel, thus keeping it a community hub for the community. The organization is negotiating this deal, filing for nonprofit tax-exempt status, and preparing to launch a fundraising campaign to purchase the land.
A forum with Green Commons board members on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m., via Zoom will answer questions and concerns, create collaborative opportunities, and discuss the status of the land acquisition.
To attend, email greencommonsvt@gmail.com to receive a meeting link.
Putney monthly free produce distribution is Dec. 17
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf's monthly food drop of free produce and some non-perishables has been moved to Thursday, Dec. 17.
The food is available from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Carol Brown Way (in front of Putney Meadows, the white building across from the Putney Food Co-op and the Fire Station). All are welcome.
Because of COVID-19 precautions, the food drop is drive-up service. Bags are provided.
'VeggieVanGo' makes stop at Leland & Gray
TOWNSHEND - On Thursday, Dec. 17, from noon to 1 p.m., in the lower parking lot at Leland & Gray Union High School, Grace Cottage Hospital will host the Vermont Foodbank's VeggieVanGo free-food-distribution program.
The hospital hosts the mobile food distribution truck at least once a month to help people obtain fresh fruits and vegetables.
All are welcome, and no proof of eligibility is required. Call 802-365-9109 for more information.
Master Gardener classes begin soon
BURLINGTON - Whether your interests lie with food production, fruits, or flowers, you can expand your home horticulture knowledge by enrolling in the upcoming University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Master Gardener course.
The 16-week non-credit online course runs from Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 through the week of Friday, May 21, 2021. Enrollment is open to gardeners of all levels of expertise who want to learn about vegetable gardening, annuals and perennials, sustainable landscaping, pollinator gardens, entomology, and the care of trees, shrubs and lawns, among other topics.
UVM faculty and green-industry experts will present information through recorded lectures, live webinars, discussion forums, and other weekly activities.
Participants should have basic computer skills and expect to spend up to five hours a week on coursework, assignments, and quizzes.
Three separate tracks will be offered. Track 1 is for gardeners seeking certification as a UVM Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, which requires a 40-hour internship after completion of the course.
Gardeners interested only in studying home horticulture can take Track 2 to earn a Vermont Certificate of Home Horticulture.
Track 3 covers the same information as the other two tracks but is entirely self-paced with no certification.
The deadline to register is Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. The fee is $400 for Vermont residents or $550 for non-residents. Partial scholarships are available for Vermonters, with applications accepted until Thursday, Dec. 31.
To register, or for information about financial aid, visit go.uvm.edu/mastergardener.
To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Beret Halverson at beret.halverson@uvm.edu or 802-656-1777 by Sunday, Dec. 20.
For more information, contact the UVM Extension Master Gardener Program Office at 802-656-9562 or master.gardener@uvm.edu.