Community garden gathers further momentum

August 7th, 2013
[by David Armstrong]

If attendance and enthusiastic discussion and participation at an AGM is anything to go by, the Motueka Community Gardens organisation is in great shape and has a promising future.

Twenty two people attended Monday's annual general meeting, which saw several new people offering their services on the committee. The trust's third AGM began with a shared meal.

In her report to the meeting, chairperson Tara Forde said the gardens trust has now been successfully registered with the Charities Commission, making it easier to apply for funding.

Highlights of the year included the installation of the biodigestor (with several hiccups but is now working), the scarecrow creation on Children's Day, sunflower planting, and a cooking demonstration at the library in collaboration with NZ Book Month. The scarecrows have become something of a tourist attraction, with scores of photos being taken.

The financial situation is satisfactory, and will be helped by the prompt payment of allotment fees. The berry fence has gone up and next to be constructed is the glasshouse, once funds can be found for the plastic covering. There continues to be a hope that more people can volunteer to help with the community plots maintenance.

As well as the seven communal beds at the Old Wharf Road front of the plot, more than 20 people now rent private allotments at the $1 per square metre per year rental rate. Rental payments are now due, and treasurer Ron Sharp said that many of the allotment holders had already paid their fees for the 2013/14 year.

Income during the year totalled $3532, while outgoings were $3271, giving us a gain of $261. The balance in the bank account as of June 30 2013 was $1321, which is comfortable.

Surplus produce (volunteers have first dibs on produce from the communal gardens) is being distributed to the Salvation Army and some is used for sales to provide funds for seeds and seedlings for next crops.

One person at the meeting volunteered to look after and maintain one of the seven communal plots purely to supply community events such as the Sallies' soup kitchen meals and the Community Christmas Dinner if needed.

Comment by Jim Butler:
[Posted 11 August 2013]

A Motueka success story. Congratulation to all volunteers.

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