Saturday, October 15, 2011 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hillsborough, N.J. (October 5, 2011) – Duke Farms is looking for adults and teens who can volunteer a few hours of their time on Saturday, October 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to help with efforts to expand the Community Garden.
“In 2012, our Community Garden will double in size, from 200 to 400 plots, and we could use a helping hand to get things ready,” said Timothy M. Taylor, executive director, Duke Farms Foundation. “The mission of Duke Farms is to educate people to become good stewards of the land. The Community Garden enables people to grow fresh and healthy produce while learning good stewardship practices, such as organic growing techniques and composting to improve the soil.”
“Volunteers will help to create new pathways and spread mulch in our 2.5-acre expansion area,” explained Paul Smith, group leader of designed landscapes at Duke Farms. “Having the assistance of volunteers will enable us to get a head start on the 2012 growing season for our community gardeners.”
Groups and individual volunteers are welcome, teens and adults -- but no young children, please. Refreshments will be served and, as a reward for their efforts, the first 100 volunteers will receive a free pumpkin.
“If you have ever thought about becoming a Community Garden member, this is an excellent opportunity for you to see the garden and learn more about it,” said Eve Minson, Community Garden coordinator for Duke Farms. “People can enjoy some crisp autumn air, get some exercise and help the community.”
In addition to increasing the number of garden plots available, Duke Farms also is increasing eligibility. Currently, people who live or work in Hillsborough, Manville, Somerville or the Borough of Raritan are eligible to enter a lottery system used to award plots; in 2012, that area will be expanding to include Bridgewater and Branchburg.
This was the inaugural year for the Duke Farms Community Garden. More than 160 individuals and families were able to plant flowers, fruits and vegetables and learn about organic gardening practices. Duke Farms made available the land for the garden, fencing, some vegetable seeds and seedlings, access to water, use of wheelbarrows, access to reference materials and online garden advice, and offered free compost and mulch for the use of the gardeners. Gardeners also received a discount on a series of organic gardening programs offered by Duke Farms. In return, gardeners paid a small fee and were required to donate several hours of their time as volunteers. And, many gardeners generously donated some of their freshly-harvested produce to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County via bins provided by Duke Farms.
The Duke Farms Community Garden is located at 1112 Dukes Parkway West in Hillsborough, between Route 206 and Roycefield Road. Ample parking is available. Volunteers should dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes, and it would be helpful if volunteers could bring a rake or shovel.
About Duke Farms
For nearly 100 years, Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre property in Hillsborough, N.J., has been a destination for the residents of The Garden State and beyond. As one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state, it is rich in agricultural, horticultural and ecological resources. The mission of Duke Farms is to be a model of environmental stewardship in the 21st Century and inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land. In 2012, Duke Farms will open a new Orientation Center and miles of trails to the public, and will offer a wide variety of educational and recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.dukefarms.org.