Jackson's Garden  

Jackson's Garden is a volunteer operated communal garden located in Sheridan, Montana.  Their mission is to sustainably support gardening for production, education, and enjoyment of the community.

The current state of the garden is a success story.  Three years ago, the property, which had been a garden for over 30 years, was in a state of decline.  The couple who owned the property was no longer able to work the land and the garden had been taken over by weeds, brush, and debris so dense it was described as a "jungle".  Friends of the Jackson's decided to reclaim the land and restore it to its former beauty.  Within two years, the land had become workable again and was producing flowers and vegetables.  In the third year, the Jackson's donated the land to community volunteers, who have formed a private nonprofit organization, Jackson's Garden, Inc., to foster the land.  The volunteers are now engaged in strategic planning to ensure the long term sustainability of the project.

Jackson's Garden promotes the health and wellness of the community by producing fresh fruits and vegetables, providing attractive opportunities for community members to engage in physical activity, and offering educational opportunities.  The organization disseminates information about gardening, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles through a monthly newsletter.  Furthermore, they partner with the local school districts to provide garden-based curriculums, with the goal of instilling healthy behaviors at a young age. A cooking workshop is also conducted for adults.

Overall, cooperation between key community stakeholders and a community basis of support play significant roles in the success of the project.

To learn more about Jackson's Garden visit our website by:   

Clicking Here 

Jackson's Garden website: Click Here

Shelby Community Gardens 

Shelby Community Gardens provide city residents with a garden space, free of charge, with the goal of making fresh produce more readily available to the participating gardeners.  

In 2006, Shelby received a $4,000 planning grant from the Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases (NAPA), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As a result of this grant the City of Shelby and the Toole County Extension Office partnered to develop a community garden with the goal of increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Last year another garden located near the Senior Center was added. This garden features raised beds to help make gardening more physically accessible for the seniors. Students from the after-school and summer program participate in a garden club. These students have a garden area that they care for during the summer. Curriculum is offered on both gardening and healthy eating by Extension Staff.

The biggest factor for the success of this garden was having the right combination of volunteers, donations, and funds. The garden was very fortunate to have a retired farmer on the garden committee who set the garden up including rotilling, irrigation and installation of the fence and raised bed. The City of Shelby provided the site and water free of charge, the RECCS Afterschool program provided funding for the fence and garden tools.  

As of now, 40 families have plots along with the after-school program and Shelby Elementary 4th graders.  Next year the Shelby Community Garden will have a new feature: a greenhouse is being installed as a result of grant from the Conservation District.

To learn more about Shelby Community Gardens visit our website by: Clicking Here

Deadline: March 1, 2011
The Mantis Awards recognize charitable and educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life in their host communities.  The 25 recipients receive Mantis tiller/cultivators. For more information click here. 

National Webinars:

The Health Benefits from Active Transportation

Tuesday, February 15, 2011; 12-1pm MST

Learn how active transportation improves health across various populations and learn of programs that promote and implement active transportation in their communities. Presentations by: * Jeffrey Miller, Alliance for Biking & Walking * Amanda Woodall, Active Transportation Alliance * David Godfrey, City of Kirkland, Washington.  

Click here for more information  

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