FULTON HOUSE GARDEN SPARKS COMMUNITY GARDEN

Gardening provides so much fun, relaxation and satisfaction to my wife Wendy and me that she decided to introduce gardening to students, teachers and administrators at the middle school where she teaches, as well as to the citizens of Canby, Oregon who have never indulged in this activity.

Wendy has created a community garden on her school's campus, which is large enough to provide several thousand square feet for would-be gardeners. Since, at the beginning of this endeavor, expenses can run high, Wendy has written several grant proposals, two of which have already been received. She has involved many of the departments at school in the project; for example, wood shop will build a tool shed and the math class will lay out the individual plots.

Students are excited. Everyone wants to begin growing their favorite vegetables or flowers. And the community is also very excited. Several months ago Canby residents formed a Committee and petitioned the City Council to provide enough public land to support a community garden. They were turned down because of an inadequate site.

Now citizens do have a centrally located site and dozens of people have expressed interest in starting their own garden. Local businesses have contributed expertise, tools and materials, adding to the enthusiasm. Many people are involved, and that is one of the things that makes a smaller suburb of Portland a very special place to live.

It is with a great deal of pride that Wendy can boast that something begun in the large backyard of The Fulton House has provided the impetus and blossomed into the fertile soil of a very large community garden about 15 miles away. Now, all everyone has to wait for is consistent Spring weather.

Then, let the planting begin at both sites.