Maile Auterson says Springfield can be characterized as a food desert - or area vapid of fresh fruits and vegetables - which poses a major problem. Auterson is president of Springfield Community Gardens. On Saturday, SCG along with Habitat for Humanity, will conduct a ground breaking ceremony for Tom Watkins Community Farm.
This farm will provide locally grown organic food and be a place for agricultural education.
“The Tom Watkins Neighborhood Association approached Springfield Community Gardens because they wanted to have their own community garden in the Tom Watkins neighborhood,” said Auterson.
Springfield Community Gardens works to provide land, water, funding and volunteer coordination to neighborhood community gardens throughout Springfield.
“Community gardens, a lot of people think that they are just about growing food but it's about having gardening, it's about building communities,” said Auterson.
Tom Watkins Community farm will also serve as part of SCG’s first High-Yield Farmers training Program in early November, which is funded by a $10,000 grant from the MTS Foundation. According to Auterson, this program will create neighborhood cohesiveness by learning about the agricultural aspect of healthy food.
The Tom Watkins Community Farm groundbreaking is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at 1909 N Park, and will coincide with National Food Day. Additionally, Farmers Gastropub will be serving locally-sources specials.