by Catherine Haug
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to grow fresh fruits and veggies year-round, right here in Bigfork? It’s about to happen! with a new multi-family cooperative community endeavor.
Paul Renner, a member of our ESP community, is working on a project called “Peaceful Gardens.” This is a “community oriented, year round, food self-sufficiency program specializing in growing organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers.”
The Vision for Peaceful Gardens
This project, when completed, will include:
- a 51-foot geodesic dome growing space that will “produce healthy organic food even in the coldest winter months” (currently under construction);
- External gardens;
- A small orchard;
- Free-range chickens (to help control insects);
- A root cellar, for storage of fall crops well into winter.
Peaceful Gardens’ mission includes promoting a gradual shift from our current diet to a more healthful way of eating; and demonstrating that a small group of people can produce most of their own food requirements cooperatively, as well as model for, and teach others how to do the same.
The co-op will hold monthy meetings to discuss operations, and to teach/learn from each other. Paul envisions that each participant (family or individual) will:
- Mentor in one aspect of greenhouse operations;
- Spend time on site (weekly), planting, nurturing, growing and harvesting their own food;
- Participate in laying out the beds, irrigation, and infrastructure;
- Each assignment, including overall management function will rotate every quarter (or so), so each participant will have hands-on experience in each function.
This will be a living enterprise, continually evolving and managed by self-directed work teams.
Currently available assignments
(This is not necessarily a complete list; was current at ESP’s September Gathering)
- organic pest control
- natural farming with effective micro-organisms
- organic composting and fertilization
- soil management (ph, mineral content, etc.)
- seed germination & harvesting for future crops
- work/job schedule management
- web site develoopment & maintenance
- photo & film documentation
- documentation manual-management
- orchard management
- external garden management
- irrigation management
- passive & active heating system
For more information
To discuss participation in this enterprise as a fellow peaceful gardener, or for more information, contact Paul Renner: (406) 212-9793 or paulrenner299(at)gmail.com (email disguised for security).