ACCA community garden breaks ground

Photo by Michael Woodward

STARTING A GARDEN: Angie and Tyler Sannebeck of Anderson begin work on their plot at the Anderson Cottonwood Christian Assistance community garden. With 26 families signed-up, the garden still seeks newcomers and donations of irrigation supplies.

Gardeners put in an early workday on Saturday, April 25 when members began planting at the free community garden at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church sponsored by Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance.

Fran Evans, of Anderson, put several tomato plants in the newly tilled soil.

“I’m going to put some basil and sage in, too,” Evans said of her small plot. “I’m not real energetic. This is small enough for me and I should still have enough extra for ACCA.”

Looking over the plants donated by the Anderson FFA and Happy Valley Elementary, new garden coordinator Alice Caswell pointed out the variety of plants available to gardeners, including tomatoes, a variety of beans, melons and squash, cucumbers, peas and cilantro.

Some opted for larger plots.

Angie Sannebeck worked with her son Tyler to clear debris from her 12- by 24-foot plot before planting. She also operates a garden at Happy Valley Elementary. This garden, however, would provide for her family.

The gardeners receive free earth, plants and water to raise their own vegetables. The ACCA has asked for a quarter of the yield as donation to its food bank. This spirit of donation was not lost on other members of the Anderson community.

The Anderson Rotary provided a $500 donation to Hawe’s Ranch and Farm supply, ACCA garden board member Lyle Amlin said. Also providing support was Shasta Constructors, who contributed a large load of wood from the North Street bridge construction. The City of Anderson also chipped in, providing three dump truck loads of mulch and the use of temporary orange fencing.

The garden still has other needs, Caswell said.

She said the garden would greatly appreciate the donation of irrigation supplies, pvc tubing, battery operated irrigation timers and, if possible, a rototiller. All donations to the ACCA garden are tax deductible, as it is a non-profit agency.

Currently 26 families are signed up with the garden, and there remains space for ten more plots, Caswell said. To contact the ACCA garden for information about a plot or donations, call 357-4276.