HEAL MINI-GRANT REPORT Your organization was awarded a HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living) mini-grant in April 2011.

Please complete and return this report within 30 days if your activity is complete or by December 20, 2011, if your activity is still in progress. Please email this report to Janet Hamilton, Community Investment Officer janet@hutchcf.org Name of Grant Recipient Organization Faith Mennonite Church Contact Person (Name, email, phone #) Jim Unruh jhunruh@hotmail.com 620-921-0314 Summary of Activity as Proposed in Approved Application (50 words or less) Expand and improve the community garden that begun in 2010 by making gardening more accessible and appealing to the community while promoting more environmentally responsible gardening practices. The main goal for 2011 was to expand access, flexibility and appeal. Target Audience Served by Activity: Reno County Residents who seek a place to garden or to mentor individuals through the process of gardening. Approximate # of Persons Who Benefitted from Activity: Six garden plots of various sizes were tended to by approximately 12 people. Approximately 100 to 150 Reno County residents benefited from the produce grown in the garden. Summary of Activity (actual experience in 150 words or less): The purchase of a new tiller allowed those gardening a practical way to reduce weeds and prepare the soil. Purchased soaker hoses provided more efficient watering. Plots were changed to offer flexible sizes and configurations, which was positively received by those gardening. Corn lined the garden, which provided a wind break and increased the appeal of the garden. The corn was harvested and distributed to the community. After the corn was harvested, pumpkins were planted in unused space and distributed to the community. Unexpected Outcomes (positive or negative) or Lessons Learned: The extraordinary drought and persistent high temperatures of last summer tested the endurance of the gardeners and reduced the amount of produce harvested. It underscored the advantage of using drip lines to keep plants efficiently watered.

The location of the garden is remote enough to prevent some community use (sits on the outskirts of South Hutchinson). Most new use came from retirement age people who either moved to the community or to a retirement home and no longer have a space to garden at their residence. New community relationships opened up and are being formed. In 2012, Faith Community Gardens plans on expanding the operation; providing gardening space for the Boys and Girls club of Reno County to use for their purposes that align with our mission.

Level of Your Organizations Satisfaction with Event: The second year of the Faith Community Garden effort didn t produce as much activity or community impact as hoped. However, it did increase exposure and opened up new/exciting relationships that promise to strengthen the culture of healthy living in Reno County through gardening. Degree to Which Activity Can Be Sustained: The land has been made available by Faith Mennonite Church for the community garden. Necessary infrastructure, such as water lines, has been paid for and put in place. A nominal fee is charged for gardening and the sale of produce (corn) has offset on-going costs. Any Other Comments:

Thank you for your interest in Healthy Eating, Active Living programming.