Coal Center Community Garden: ‘Guess the weight’ contest for massive pumpkin
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
With fall right around the corner, a local community garden hopes to dig up some interest — and promote local businesses — with its first ever “guess the weight” fundraiser.
Volunteers with the Coal Center Community Garden started to share their first harvest Aug. 22 with weekly farmers markets and barbecues each Sunday.
The events are slated to continue through Sept. 27, but this weekend will also serve as a fundraiser for the group’s largest item — a boulder-sized pumpkin.
From 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, residents can stop by the garden at 129 Water St. in Coal Center to purchase homegrown produce at the organization’s first farmers market and take their best guess at the weight of the pumpkin for $5.
The winner will receive more than $550 in gift cards for area businesses.
Tickets can be purchased Sunday at the garden or in advance at the Mon Valley Independent, Willowbrooke Wash, Salon & Spa by Chaney’s Natural, Bee Graphix, Lagerheads, Home Cafe and Monessen Florist.
The winner will receive a collection of gift cards: MVI ($200); Willowbrooke Wash ($90); Salon & Spa by Chaney’s Natural ($75); Bee Graphix ($75); Lagerheads ($50); Home Cafe ($50); and Monessen Florist ($25).
Both restaurant sponsors have used home-grown vegetables from the garden in various dishes on their menus.
Grow Mon Valley launched last year through a partnership with the Greater Washington County Food Bank to develop a multi-purpose program that focuses on gardening in the community, educational programs and designing gardens to grow the food bank.
The first garden popped up in Monongahela two years ago, and the newest project in Coal Center was finished earlier this year.
The concept originated from Grow Pittsburgh, a group that teaches and promotes planting and gardening in the Pittsburgh region.
Local growers and farmers are encouraged to stop by to purchase fresh vegetables or sell their own fresh produce with no vendor fees.
As it continues to grow, the project would not have been possible without contributions from community stakeholders.
Money raised from the farmers market, “guess the weight” tickets and barbecue food items will benefit future Grow Mon Valley projects, including additional garden facilities and education throughout the region.
In the future, Grow Mon Valley hopes to install schoolyard gardens, launch a community seed bank and eventually secure a storefront in its hometown to begin a tool-lending program for those participating in gardening activities.
The group is getting ready for its second planting in Coal Center and will soon plant lettuce, beets, spinach and radishes that will be harvest in several weeks.
So far the farmers market and barbecues have raised more than $300 to benefit future programs.
While this year’s planting season is wrapping up, area residents can get involved with Grow Mon Valley by emailing monvalleygrow@gmail.com or finding the group on Facebook.
