Keep Bakersfield Beautiful (KBB) offers guidance to local children and adults interested in growing green community gardens.  Here are some of the many benefits to having a community garden.

●  teach teamwork
●  beautify a neighborhood
●  low-cost and nutritious organic food
●  learn environmental skills hands-on
●  create a sense of pride in community

Police officers and kids tend to a KBB community garden at the Bakersfield Police Activities League (BPAL) children’s center located at 301 E. 4th St.  The children learn hands-on how to grow organic food, maintain a green garden, eat healthy, and how to prepare produce for a farmers’ market.  “BPAL is looking forward to working with KBB and watching the youth in our program getting their hands dirty on this new and exciting project,” said Chris Dalton, BPAL officer.  KBB board member Isaiah Crompton is happy to see the BPAL kids so interested in gardening.  Crompton said he thinks of a garden, “as a self-sufficient tool” that could be used for one’s basic survival and creative career opportunities.     

Volunteers started the BPAL-KBB community garden in April 2009.  Adult volunteers spent about three weeks preparing a patch of land on BPAL’s grounds.  During that time, volunteers installed an essential watering system, tilled the land, and used recycled organic compost to nourish the soil.  The kids organically planted watermelon, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, okra, and peppers later that month.  The kids will give the garden constant care while they wait for the produce to ripen.  Plus, the children will have opportunities to gain nutrition tips and share their healthy harvest with each other and their families.  The program leaders will also give the children the skill set needed to sell their fresh produce to the public at a farmers’ market.   
      
Please call Keep Bakersfield Beautiful at 326-3539 if you would like to start a community garden.