This summer PPUG has worked hard to establish three more community gardens in the Colorado Springs area.

• Dorchester Park: offering garden space for Springs Rescue Mission, Marian Soup Kitchen, Urban Peak and Zebulon Pike
• Vermijo Community Garden: offering 17 garden plots for the local residence. Organic practices are used.
• Youth Ventures: offering gardening opportunities for foster care children and families
  

Educational Outreach

This year PPUG has offered monthly garden classes  (starting in November, 2009 and running through May).  Tips and suggestions for successful vegetable gardening in the Pikes Peak region were shared. Classes were held in churches and school auditoriums. Up to 400 attended each class.

PPUG gave additional seminars around the region including the ProGreen  Convention in Denver.

This year to date over 3,000 garden folks attended these classes and seminars.

Demonstration Gardens at Harlan Wolfe Ranch

Located on the southwest side of Colorado Springs, this 100 year old historic ranch is now home for PPUG's demonstration gardens. On this four acre ranch the public can visit, learn, share, nibble on fresh veggies and even purchase a fresh salad. 

2011 Projects 

In addition to our continued gardening classes,  PPUG will be tackling three ambitious garden projects. 

• Harrison School's Community and Demonstration Gardens: This project is a partnership with Livewell Colorado Springs (Mina Liebert), Harrison School District (Karen Kovaly), PPUG, Kaiser Permanente, Colorado Health Foundation and Anshutz Foundation. On 1/2 acre of land, PPUG with the help of the community will establish community gardens and a demonstration garden open to the public. Our plans call for a full time farmer/teacher/cook to be on-site to offer educational tips, classes and cooking demonstrations. To date we have raised or have pledged  60% of the funds needed for this $25,000 project. 
• Ivywild Community Project: this former elementary school has been purchased by Joseph Coleman (owner of Blue Star, Nosh and La' au's Restaurants) and Mike Bristol (owner Bristol Brewery) with plans to open up a brewery, bakery, coffee shop, community center at this site while retaining the historic quality of this school. PPUG will help design and run the on-site  off-the-grid greenhouse projects. These greenhouses will grow food for the community, be a teaching facility for schools, organizations and community members, and demonstrate the practicality of  "green" growing spaces.
• Mennonite Community Gardens: Located at the Beth El Mennonite Church in Colorado Springs, the church members will share their 1/2 acre of land with others in the community that are the less fortunate. On-site gardening and cooking classes will be offered by PPUG. This fall we will be working hard to get this project funded.