• increases cross-cultural and cross-generational learning

• provides moderate exercise

• crime rates decline in areas with community gardens

• community gardens increase property values

• higher quality produce for you and your family or friends

• gardeners who grow their own food eat more  healthy produce

• organic gardening helps heal the soil and environment

• community gardens increase neighborhood connections

• gardens encourage healthy bugs and wildlife

• children who garden tend to eat more vegetables

• gardening is a wholesome family activity

• a community garden can serve as a third place, such as a church or community center would

• gardening reduces obesity and diabetes rates

PPUG's History

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens, a non-profit, was formed in the winter of 2007  in response to a need in the Pikes Peak region. In Denver there are over 100 community gardens. In 2007, as far as we knew, there were only three in the Colorado Springs area. Bear Creek Community gardens on the west side of town, Old Farm Community Gardens on the east side and Deerfield. We are seeing record numbers of people interested in growing their own food. 

In the fall of 2008, PPUG became an initiative of  Pikes Peak Community Foundation.  Since that time PPUG has assisted several communities start gardens, help incubate two urban farms, start a "No Vendor Fee" Farmers Market for the small farmer, start a 1/3 acre demonstration garden on the west side of the Springs and given numerous talks to over 3000 people in the Pikes Peak region.

Our goal is to add three to four  community gardens annually to the Pikes Peak region. 

Meet PPUG's

Board Members

2010

 Left to Right:

Matthew Schniper, Melissa Marts, Elise Bowan, Asst Director, Elise Bergsten, Rick Hughes, Monica Phelan, Beth Gentry, Larry Stebbins, Director.

 

Beth Gentry

Beth grew up on a 3rd generation farm in Northern Michigan. Before moving to Colorado, she worked in the not-for-profit sector for Zenger Farm in Portland, Oregon educating kids and adults about where their food comes from and also focusing on community food security. She currently works as the General Manager for Bon Appetit Management Company at Colorado College where she focuses her energy on supporting local farmers through food purchasing at Colorado College and volunteering her time in the Colorado Springs area working to build a stronger local food community.

 

 

Melissa Marts

Melissa is the Chief Programs Officer for Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado. She is responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of all food bank programs. These programs include Agency Relations and Development and the Children’s Nutrition Initiative. She has broadened the reach of hunger relief through local food security partnerships and community garden growth. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and began her career as a teacher where she witnessed first hand the relationship of quality food to health. She also owned her own grocery store and coordinated the Peak to Plains Alliance.

 

 

Rick Hughes

Rick runs the $10 million Food & Nutrition Services program for Colorado Springs School District #11, overseeing a team of 250 employees. Rick first began school food service in 1991 with Marriott School Services in Washington State, with whom he worked for 14 years. He began working in fine dining at the age of 16 and graduated from Washington State University with a BA in Hotel and Restaurant Business Administration.  At D-11, his recent “Good to GREAT” initiative has improved the meal program by adding more fresh produce, more whole grains and placing a greater emphasis on locally grown products. Rick also maintains many professional affiliations within the food industry and is a longtime volunteer.

 

 

Monica Phelan

Monica is a native Coloradoan, who currently resides in Black Forest and operates Phelan Gardens nursery on Austin Bluffs Parkway. She has a son and daughter who both attend CU Boulder; she graduated with a BA from UNC. Monica is the President and Owner  of the Phelan Corporation and Vice President of Earth Expressions Landscape & Maintenance company. In addition to PPUG, she also sits on the board of the Colorado Nursery and Greenhouse Association. Her interests include enjoying the outdoors, gardening, hiking, skiing and walking her dog.

 

 

Matthew Schniper

Matthew is a Culture Editor at the Colorado Springs Independent weekly newspaper, where he heads the food and weekly events sections and contributes to various other areas. He graduated from Colorado College in 2001 and has spent roughly 10 years inside the fine dining industry, beginning at the age of 15. At the Independent since early 2006, Matthew has written often about local and sustainable food practices and as well as eco-friendly topics; he also regularly reviews local, independent dining establishments. In addition to writing, he’s an avid traveler, photographer, gardener and beekeeper.

 

 

Elise Bergsten

Elise grew up on a hobby farm in SE Minnesota in the 70's.  She's lived in Colorado for 26 years and loves the mission of fostering local organic gardening as a major food source for her family and the entire community.  Elise brings previous non-profit board experience and fundraising skills to PPUG.  She does project management and administrative work for Special Districts and Water Working Groups, including the Arkansas Basin Roundtable and the Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District.