GRANT FUNDING HELPS EQUIP GARDENS TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY

Expansion and improvements are happening at nine gardening spots in Dearborn and Ohio counties due to funding that UWGC’s Southeast Indiana Office awarded to Southeast Indiana Community Gardens.

The improvements will help address food insecurity, which has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Southeast Indiana Community Gardens was among 15 Southeast Indiana nonprofits that received funding from a $300,000 COVID-19 Economic Relief Initiative Grant from Lilly Inc. and a partnership with Indiana United Ways, a state professional association.

Southeast Indiana Community Gardens is using its $15,000 to build and fill additional raised gardening beds and improve access to water. At some sites, money is being used to buy garden equipment and tools as well as grow lights and bins to transport produce from local growers to food pantries.

Sites where improvements are being made:

• Beecher Community Garden, Lawrenceburg.
• Greendale Community Garden.
• Archaeological Research Institute, Lawrenceburg.
• Central Elementary School Garden, Lawrenceburg.
• Youth Encouragement Services Home Garden, Aurora.
• Community Mental Health Center Graden, Lawrenceburg.
• Lawrenceburg Public Library Garden.
• Aurora Recreation Community Center Garden.
• Learning Farm, Rising Sun.