WALPOLE, N.H. — Small-scale growers and gardeners in and around Keene, NH will soon gain access to new gardening resources through the Keene Public Library. ‘Monadnock Grows Together’ is a new regional program that offers a range of education, technical assistance, gardening equipment and more, to residents interested and engaged in backyard gardening and small-scale urban farming.
Monadnock Grows Together is an Urban Agriculture project developed in partnership by the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD), Antioch University’s Community Garden Connections, the Keene Public Library, and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). Funding for this urban agriculture conservation grant is provided through a partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost technical capacity nationwide.
Residents are invited to the Keene Public Library on June 23rd between 2pm-6pm for the grand opening of the newly renovated library and launch of the Monadnock Grows Together Seed Library and Garden Tool Lending Library. Representatives from Monadnock Grows Together will be in attendance to answer questions and introduce visitors to the new gardening programs. Take this opportunity to meet your Urban Ag and Gardens Coordinator Rachel Brice, who is available to answer gardening questions, provide 1-on-1 technical assistance, and conduct site visits with local growers.
In addition to the permanent seed and tool libraries, residents are invited to a series of free gardening workshops to be held in Keene and at the Westmoreland Garden Project through the remainder of 2019. Workshops later this month include “Insects in the Garden” with Sam Jaffe on June 13th and “Invasives in the Home Garden” with Jeff Littleton on June 19th. Visit the CCCD’s website for a full schedule of workshops coming this year and additional information on all aspects of the Monadnock Grows Together program:Â www.cheshireconservation.org/
If you have questions about Monadnock Grows Together contact Rachel Brice, Urban Ag and Gardens Coordinator, by email:Â Rachel@cheshireconservation.
About the CCCD
The Cheshire County Conservation District promotes the conservation and responsible use of our natural and agricultural resources for the people of Cheshire County by providing technical, financial, and educational assistance. Our goal is to encourage the stewardship of healthy soils, productive ecologically sound farms, diverse wildlife, productive sustainable forests, healthy watersheds, and clean water to ensure those resources are available for future generations. Established in 1945, the Conservation District operates out of Walpole NH where we work alongside the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other conservation partners. For more information, contact the Conservation District at 603-756-2988 ext.115/116.
–Cheshire County Conservation District
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