A few edits, after having my morning coffee amendments:wink:
...I would consider Scott's a donor for our garden, rather than our "sponsor". Therefore, there is no push to use a particular brand of product.
The entire garden is "organic". With 90 plots and plotholders, there are varying degrees of knowledge, definition, and adherence to the most stringent organic programs. A great start is using no chemicals, and the rest of the education can be coaxed along over time (many have never gardened before). Since many plots are shared between several families, I would guess we serve well over 100 households in the Lake Highlands area. If we can increase local produce consumption, change home behaviours from chemical programs to organic programs, and convince people to compost food and leaf waste instead of sending it to the landfill--what a great thing! Maybe a few of our neighbors will catch on too, doing the right thing is contagious, after all.
Scott's helped fund our original garden, expansion of the garden and donation garden and they donated some product (including some chemical stuff that we never used). We are grateful for their donation and how it allowed the LHCG get started. There is no communication to gardeners about brand products to use, and I would say many of the gardeners look elsewhere (especially to you, Howard!) to continue the health of their soil and plants. This fall, there will be a big push for education for our gardeners--including composting guidelines, good choices for organic amendments, water use, etc.
The garden is a great educational forum and social outlet crossing all ages and demographics. Not only that, it gets a lot of press in local media, which influences thought and behaviour beyond the garden. Everybody in Lake Highlands is proud of this wonderful asset to our families and community. Here's your invite--let me know when you want a tour!