A growing interest at Statehouse
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Members of the "APPLE Corps" from left, Zachary Brock, Carl Etnier and Caroline Abels, pose on some of the Statehouse grounds they hope to convert into a vegetable garden. JEB WALLACE-BRODEUR/TIMES ARGUS |
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By SARAH HINCKLEY Times Argus Staff - Published: March 27, 2009
MONTPELIER – Not to be outdone by the Obama family, a local group is looking to plant a garden at Vermont's state capitol.
Made up of about a half dozen local food enthusiasts, the Association for the Planting of edible Public Landscapes for Everyone, or APPLE Corps is awaiting approval to put seeds in an area of the Statehouse grounds on May 1. Plans have been sketched out for two plots, equaling 280 square feet, to grow a variety of vegetables and herbs throughout the 2009 season.
"We think we would do justice to the goddess of Ceres," said Caroline Abels, one of the APPLE Corps about the goddess of agriculture atop the Statehouse dome.
While momentum for supporting local food movements is growing throughout the country, the group's plan is well timed at the Statehouse. Because of state budget restraints, fewer flowers are being planted at the Statehouse this year, according to Carl Etnier, an APPLE Corps member.
The proposed plots, located just off the lawn, in front of the rows of smaller shrubs that flank the first set of steps, have showcased flowers in the past.
"It's very important that we maintain the grandeur of the Statehouse and symmetry is part of that," said Etnier about the location for the garden. "Our intention is to harvest this and give it to the food shelf."
There are three plantings planned for the growing season with seeds donated by High Mowing Organic Seeds. The first, slated for May 1, would include chives, parsley, red cabbage, bush peas, lettuce, scallions, carrots, Swiss chard, mustard greens and beets. The second, slated for the summer, would include Swiss chard, bush beans, tomatoes, peppers, chives parsley, sage, bronze fennel, cilantro, basil, chamomile miniature marigolds and sweet alyssum. The third, fall planting will be a smaller variety, including broccoli, kale, collards, spinach, carrots, beets and lettuce.
"This is an experiment, so I think none of us know how this will play out," said David Schutz, Statehouse curator.
He will be the one convening the Capitol Complex Commission, the group responsible for approving or denying the garden at the Statehouse. Schutz said a meeting will likely be scheduled around the middle of April.
"We want to demonstrate that local food production can be a beautiful, viable aspect of the public landscape," said Etnier, explaining the philosophy of the project. "We want people to come here and say, 'wow! Look, food.'"
Guy's Farm and Yard has agreed to donate fencing in order to keep animals from feasting on the harvest. As far as members of the public, Etnier said the group is mildly concerned. Zachary Brock, of Montpelier and an APPLE Corps member, will be the one in charge of the garden and expects to check in on it every day.
"I've done a little gardening, but not in such a prominent place," said Brock who will be mentored by Joann Darling, owner of a nursery in Barre.
Throughout the growing season the APPLE Corps is planning to host workshops to teach people more about growing their own gardens. With the help of grant funding the group is planning to print a brochure about the garden for tourists visiting the Statehouse.
"Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world – or at least plant a 280 square-foot garden," said Etnier.
He and his group are on a mission to get seeds in the ground before California's First Lady Maria Shriver plants a garden on the Capitol Park grounds in Sacramento in mid-May. Maine's Gov. John Baldacci and First Lady have been growing a garden at their residence for the last few years, but Vermont may still be the first in something.
"This is potentially the first Statehouse to do this," said Etnier.
Contact Sarah Hinckley at sarah.hinckley@timesargus.com.
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