Brattleboro's Community Garden got underway Saturday as three teams of horses pulled old plows and discs to open up the field on Upper Dummerston Rd. The land is being loaned by The Retreat, and thirty four 10' x 20' plots have been assigned for local, organic, non-gmo gardening.



The group announced some donations and grants that have come in at the Staurday groundbreaking. Brown and Roberts is helping out with fencing and supplies; the UVM Extension Agent has been very helpful; the Retreat has donated composted manure; and the Vermont Community Garden Network has given a grant for the project.



More events are planned. There is a tag sale on Saturday, May 27 at Solar Hill to raise money for the community garden. On Saturday, June 3rd there will be a gardening workshop dealing with biointensive gardening techniques.



The community garden began as a project of the Post Oil Solutions group, but now that it is up and running, POS would like to hand it off and move on to other items on their agenda. "Food production and food sustainability are of great concern to us," said Tim Stephenson.



Post Oil Solutions said they were buying an advertisement with Media News's Reformer to spread the word about buying locally. The group would like to see the Co-op increase the amount of local food on their shelves, and would like a winter farmers market to be established.



About 30 people came out for the field turning. Some were planning their gardens. Others were there to watch.

The teams of horses took turns pulling their blades through the earth. For the most part, it wasn't terribly difficult. The field had been used before, the soil was moist, and they encountered few rocks. They would do a couple of rows, then rest.

The strength of the horses was inspiring. Members of the crowd pondered how long to would take them to dig up a single row - something the horses could do in just a few minutes. They were beautiful to watch, and executed their pulling and turning around professionally under the control of their handlers.



Before long the field was open. Some horses had their gear changed and started over, pulling a series of discs that further turned the soil. An enterprising bird took the opportunity to hop around and look for freshly turned insects, with some success.



This is just the first in a series of planned community gardens that Post Oil Solutions would like to establish in Brattleboro. Get involved to help bring a community garden to your neighborhood.