Community Garden Grant for Columbus' Burmese Community!

 The Burmese refugee community in central Ohio are recipients of a $4,000 grant from The Columbus Foundation to build a community garden!  This 150'x50' garden will be built at the city-owned Gantz Road Garden.  Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Franklin County commissioners presented the Burmese with this grant as part of an Earth Day celebration at the Franklin Park Conservatory on Saturday April 23.  The Burmese are very excited to start planting some of their favorite produce that is difficult to find in American groceries.  For example, the Burmese love a red leaf plant that has a distinct sour taste.  They add this to soup to make a delicious, sour dish!The group has been working with Lori Murphy, an intern at CRIS.  They have held meetings to agree on what to grow, how to divide the plots among the families, and to make lists of the tools and supplies they need.  A master gardener from Franklin Park Conservatory and the Gantz Road Community Garden Coordinator recently attended a meeting with Lori and the Burmese community to offer advice on composting and maximizing space.  Their advice was helpful in preparing the gardens for the growing season.  The Burmese are looking forward to a break in the rain so construction on the plot can begin!To read the Columbus Dispatch article you can visit this link: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/04/25/grants-to-aid-community-gardens.html