Congratulations to Guide Meridian - Cordata Neighborhood for receiving a Community First! Garden Grant

To all Bellingham Neighborhoods, for immediate distribution:Community First!

Gardens is very pleased to announce its selection of the Guide Meridian-Cordata neighborhood as its first grant recipient, and a second opportunity for Bellingham neighborhoods to apply for up to $5,000.00 in matching funds, to help in the creation of a community garden.

Grant applications are due April 1, 2009. An informational meeting about CF!G and our grant program will be held from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2009, in the Washington State University Whatcom County Extension meeting room at 1000 N. Forest St. in Bellingham.

Community First! Gardens is a Washington State University Whatcom County Extension project funded by The Mary Redman Foundation. The Community First! Gardens Project supports neighborhoods in creating and maintaining community gardens in which residents can grow their own food.

CF!G Project goals are to help expand access to community gardens, thereby increasing self-sufficiency and local food security with nutritious, fresh produce; to provide opportunities for environmental education and stewardship of land; and to help create neighborhood gathering places that are welcoming to all, while fostering cooperative, community-building relationships within neighborhoods.

Interested neighborhoods are invited to visit the CF!G website at whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/gardening/cfg. Questions may be directed to Becky Curtis, CF!G Coordinator, at community.firstgardens@wsu.edu.