WHEATON, MD – Montgomery Parks is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Community Garden Program by compiling the experiences into a digital archive. Over the years, hundreds of gardeners have left their mark on the land, and Montgomery Parks wants to preserve their stories. Gardeners are asked to submit their fondest memories of the program online to Montgomery Parks’ Digital Gardening Archive. Stories in the archive will be used to develop future gardening programs and may eventually be featured in an online display dedicated to community gardening.
“As gardeners transform their garden plots, we see the land transforming them,” says Community Garden Program Manager Michelle Nelson. “Working in nature, growing their own food, and helping each other all nourish gardeners physically, mentally and emotionally. We want to harvest these gardening stories and preserve them for future generations to look back on.”
The Community Garden Program rents out park plots to the public to grow edible and ornamental plants. The first garden opened with 33 horticultural plots at Sligo Mill Overlook Park in the summer of 2009. Since then, the program has expanded to 545 plots in 14 locations.
Community garden programs have become so popular that all available plots are reserved for the season and waiting lists are created. Fortunately, there are other ways gardeners and non-gardeners alike can get involved.
Pope Farm in Montgomery Parks is always looking for volunteers to help with planting, harvesting and general farm work. The Grown@Pope program, managed by the community garden staff, donates fresh produce to food insecure families through Montgomery County food assistance providers. Since 2020, the community garden program has partnered with Harvest Share Maryland to donate over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce to community food banks and food hubs.
Additionally, the Community Garden Program hosts Foodie Fridays and food talks each summer and fall. Held at the Josiah Henson Museum and Park in Bethesda, the series is open to the public and features presentations by local farmers, food systems advocates and historians that highlight how food intersects with health, history and culture. Participation in Foodie Fridays is $15 per session. Registration is required.
Foodie Friday 2024 Schedule
June 28, 2024
Nourishing the Soul: Food and Mental Health
Neuropsychologist Dr. Nicole Salman talks about nutrition and how it impacts our bodies and brains.
July 26, 2024
Smelling the Flowers: Pollinators and Agriculture
Biologist Michael Roswell will lead a hands-on lecture exploring pollination and insect identification and why they are important to food systems and agriculture.
August 24, 2024
Tasting the Earth: Forest Farming and Harvesting
Naturalist, herbalist and educator Bodhi Vasilopoulos talks about foraging for food beyond the garden and into the woods.
September 27, 2024
Hearing the Past: Historic Food Culture in Montgomery County
Historian and author Tony Cohen will talk about historical foods, focusing on the heirloom plants grown in the museum gardens at Montgomery County's Button Farm Living History Center.
All Foodie Fridays events will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include refreshments from the community garden program, guest speakers, a question and answer session and more.
About Montgomery Park
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks focuses on promoting physical activity, social connection and environmental stewardship, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults and seniors, especially in a diverse and increasingly urbanized area. Montgomery Parks is a division of the Maryland National Capital Park Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a two-county agency established in 1927 to manage public lands. M-NCPPC is nationally recognized for its quality parks and recreation services and is considered a national model by other park systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of the Maryland National Capital Park Planning Commission, encourages and supports participation by people with disabilities. To request a disability modification, please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1, 800-552-7724, or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org. For more information, visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility.
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