FORT RILEY, Kan. - The Fort Riley Community Victory Garden official opening will be celebrated at 10 a.m. April 22 with a ribbon cutting and planting. The public is invited to attend. The community garden is located on River Road, off of Trooper Drive in the Forsyth Neighborhood.
The Community Victory Garden has come together after a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Riley, Picerne Military Housing, Army Community Service and Kansas State University Research and Extension and the Fort Riley Community Victory Garden Association.
"Since we constantly hear how military Families struggle to make ends meet, I figured what better way to help them than a community garden," said Susan Schoneweis, extension agent, who helped originate the idea of a community garden. "I figured what better way to help them than to organize gardens so residents can grow some of their own food."
Picerne Military Housing residents were eligible to reserve a plot, and a Fort Riley Community Victory Garden Association has formed from interested gardeners.
This group will be responsible for managing the garden plots and wait lists, developing and enforcing garden rules, holding social functions with the gardeners and providing help to any gardeners who might have questions.
"This is a great opportunity for people to come together as a community and share in their gardening hobby," said Theresa Larsen, Fort Riley resident and co-chair of the garden association. "I am looking forward to spending time with my teenager and preteen in the garden this year."
Picerne Military Housing will provide the space, maintenance and storage of equipment and annual tilling if requested by the garden association.
The garden consists of 72 plots. Each plot is 20 feet by 20 feet. Originally, the garden was designed for 60 plots, which quickly were reserved. The additional 12 plots were added to the area in early April. All plots are currently reserved and a wait list is in place.
To request to be placed on the garden wait list, visit www.rileypicerne.com, click on the garden logo, complete and submit the electronic form. Request forms also are available at each neighborhood office. For more information about the garden or the ribbon cutting, please call 785-717-2200 or e-mail rileygardens@picernemh.com.
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