1. Ensuring the Future of the Hale-Y Community Garden Farmscape
Civic Agriculture and Food Systems; 2015 CAP Stone Project
Emily Bacon
Summary
The project is a continuation of work that began in
2011 by two Civic Agriculture students. The
original farmscape included both perennial and
annual plants. Although the garden has been planted
and modified annually, because of how weeds
overtake a garden, every couple of years a fresh
start is necessary. The purpose of this project is to
breathe new life into the farmscape while
maintaining the purpose and using many of the
original plants. However, a new planting strategy
will be used alternating blocks of perennial and
annual plants. This will allow for easier farmscape
maintenance for many more years.
Moving forward….
The garden will need to be
maintained in the future. The work
will continue to be done by
community gardeners and
volunteers. A planting guide will
explain ways to most efficiently care
for and replant the garden each year.
The Farmscape Garden
….fosters ecological stewardship by
enhancing the environmental quality
of the lower garden plots at Hale-Y
in addition to supporting an
integrative approach to pest control
…..stimulates experiential learning
through volunteer opportunities to
work with other gardeners with
different levels of expertise and
knowledge
….develops social capital by
building relationships between
volunteers and gardeners who
maintain the garden together
The original
farmscape.
August
2014
Weeds were
removed and the
soil tilled.
September 2014
Hairy Vetch was
seeded as a cover
crop to ready the
bed for winter.
October 2014
The bed was
seeded with
annuals and
perennials
May 2015
Objectives & Deliverables
•Plant and maintain operational
farmscape garden
•Enhance garden aesthetic
•Grow cut flowers for gardeners
enjoyment
•Design a kiosk picture directory
•Create a pamphlet on ecological
impacts of farmscaping
•Research and create a yearly
planting & care guide
Acknowledgements
The project was a collaboration
between Jenny Schwanke, of the
Hale-Y Community Garden and
Virginia Tech’s CAFS program.
Purpose
Authentic Community Investment