i. Community Development: Provides space and opportunity to work as a community in providing and promoting an affordable, healthy food choice. Invariably, we want this to be an opportunity for the underemployed/unemployed to grow their own food. However, we are developing as a community; this is not a hand-out or a hand-up. This is mutual care, in which all parties give and receive. This is not about the haves helping the have-nots. It is about people of all economic classes and statuses living life alongside one another.
ii. Unity: Enables the economic/cultural/gender/age/religious/life-situation diversity of our population in this community to draw closer to one another.
iii. Networking: Connects different members and organizations in the community.
a. Current Organizations connected to the garden: Oak Grove Mennonite Church, Adriel, Bethel Mennonite Church, West Liberty-Salem FFA Chapter
b. Organizations we would Like to Connect with: West Liberty Cares Food Pantry, Green Hills, Farmer’s Market, churches, daycares, West Liberty-Salem school (more of it)
iv. Food Production: Enable community members the ability to subsidize their individual/family food needs.
v. Education: On-site and off-site educational opportunities in the areas of food production, gardening, cooking, canning, proper diet, etc.
vi. Confidence: Promote family/individual self-reliance
vii. Morale: Provides meaningful work, especially for community members who may be unemployed, underemployed, or disabled.
vii. Beautification: Creating an area of beauty, fruitfulness, and productivity which our community can be proud of.
