COMMONWEALTH Gardens
Gardening for the Health of the Community
COMMONWEALTH Gardens (CG) is the community garden hosted by the Howard Foundation and is a special, unique aspect of this building project’s green” commitment. CG’s mission is to be a model of sustainable gardening that will provide organic food and a place for rejuvenation, while promoting educational outreach and community health awareness within a hospital setting. The five-acre food production garden is located in an area designated as open space on the land donated to the new medical campus. The hospital community garden project is a collaboration dedicated to community, agriculture, and education with the purpose of restoring the connection between our health and the food we eat. The goals for CG are:
- To provide a venue in which the relationship between the growth and consumption of food and overall wellness can be properly viewed (demonstration garden).
- To provide locally grown produce for consumption by patients and staff of the Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital.
- To supply established feeding programs in the community of Willits whenever possible (Willits Food Bank, Senior Center, Our Daily Bread) with produce for use in their kitchens.
- To engage the community, with specific attention to the school system, through workshops and living classroom experiences.
Infrastructure accomplished to date:
- 8-foot deer fence around the 5-acre garden site,
- Well developed and supplying water via solar panels and pump to a 6,000 gallon water holding tank,
- Christopher’s Healing Knoll (orchard) planted in over 50 fruit and nut trees and 3 varieties of over 40 grape plants,
- Pump house built and housing solar system, pressure tank, tools, etc.,
- 8-station irrigation system installed to Christopher’s Healing Knoll (in part due to a Community Foundation of Mendocino County grant),
- Gazebo installed and sitting atop Christopher’s Healing Knoll,
- The start of pathways (thank you Pete Meihelic and Northern Aggregates),
- Cover crop planting in vegetable growing area past three years,
- And, this season, installation of 30×96 ft. greenhouse donated by Sparetime Supply (as well as a Community Foundation of Mendocino County grant).
Christopher’s Healing Knoll and its development, approximately 2.5 acres of the 5-acre garden site, became possible through a donation from William and Judith Bailey in memory of their son Christopher Bailey. It is with a deep sense of gratitude that this garden moves forward as a way of thanking the Bailey’s by manifesting their wish to provide a place of rest, rejuvenation, and reflection for all those who serve or find themselves in a hospital setting. And, many thanks for the physical labor provided by countless volunteers and for the countless donations so often given that are necessary to support a project of this size. Howard Foundation and the COMMONWEALTH Garden volunteers are deeply grateful for your support and generosity.
