Living Earth Community Garden (formerly Good Counsel Community Garden), is now fully managed and sponsored by the Living Earth Center (formerly Center for Earth Spirituality and Rural Ministry). Living Earth Center is a non-profit fully incorporated as a 501c3 charitable organization. It is sponsored in part by the School Sisters of Notre Dame as well through generosity of donors.
Please carefully read the information below before registering.
Barn Opening and Garden Clean Up
In the spirit of community, we ask that all gardeners attend the Living Earth Community Garden Clean Up and Potluck taking place on Saturday, April 27th from 10:30-2:30 PM. We will work together to clean up the Barn and get the Gardens ready for the season. Time spent here can go towards your 4 hour community service requirement and is a great way to have fun with your garden neighbors! We will break around 12:30 pm have a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to pass.
Spring Meet and Greet Meetings
All Gardeners are required to attend ONE Spring Garden Meet and Greet Meeting (please see application form for dates). New gardeners will be required to attend an hour training while returning gardeners will need to complete a quick (15 minute) review garden rules and sign the updated garden contract and liability waiver. Gardening can only begin AFTER signing a contract and liability form given at the meetings.
Volunteer Requirement
We ask all gardeners to join a “team” that contributes to the maintenance of the Garden or works to build a strong Garden community. Please sign up for one Volunteer Team for the season. Time commitment varies from team to team. We ask that all gardeners record their volunteer hours on our volunteer record in the Barn.
Plot Payment and Fees
A sliding scale plot fee of $30-$125 is required before the plot can be assigned. After the first plot, each additional plot is $10. This fee will go toward expenses of the community garden (electricity, water bills, compost, toilet fees, tools, maintenance, and education etc.). The fee includes ONE wheel barrow of compost per plot, water, the use of tools, and access to the barn.
RETURN GARDENERS- To secure your plot from last year, please fill out this form and provide payment by no later than March 1st. Please note, if your registration and payment are not received by this date, we cannot guarantee a plot.
NEW GARDENERS- Please fill out the form below. Plots will be assigned on a first come first served basis depending on availability. We will inform you at the beginning of April if plots are available or ask if you would like to be on a waiting list. If a plot is available, please attend one of the Garden Trainings (dates listed in form) to be shown available plots.
For questions, please contact Laura Peterson, Living Earth Center, at 507-389-4272 or email lpeterson@ssndcp.org