Community Garden faces challenging start to season

The Lincoln Community Garden has had a rough start to their gardening season.

The week before they were scheduled to open the greenhouse and begin planting, a hydrant was accidentally turned on and the tank holding the water pump and pressure tank filled with approximately six feet of water. The water pump and electrical was damaged, and the garden now needs a new pump.

An electrician has volunteered to donate his time and materials to fix the electrical, and there are a couple community residents who have offered to help install a new pump. A community business has also offered to let the garden purchase a pump at their cost through one of their distributors. The problem facing the garden is the cost of the new pump.

In addition to the water pump issue, electric in the greenhouse and the motors that operate the fans and vents for the greenhouse are no longer working and will also need replacing.

The money the garden collects each year through plot rentals and fundraisers goes to maintain the grounds and cover the cost of the upkeep in the greenhouse. Community Garden members had lined up a couple fundraisers to help with the cost of these repairs, however one of the events scheduled for June through Cycle America was cancelled due to COVID-19. Plans for their fundraiser at the 4th of July parade are also in question at this time.

The garden also needs to apply for their 501c3 non-profit status this year. The Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce is unable to continue providing fiscal sponsorship. They need to have this status in order before Dec. 31. Once this status is received, the garden can apply for various grants that may help them with things like this in the future, as well as with expansion. Until then, the garden could really use the support of the community and are asking for donations towards the cost of the new pump.

Last year, the gardeners used the largest plot and planted and harvested hundreds of potatoes and several onions and carrots that were donated to community members, both personally and through organizations in town. They hope to do the same again this year.

If you would like to make a donation to the Lincoln Community Garden, contact Libby Davis at [email protected], or send a check payable to The Lincoln Community Garden at PO Box 892, Lincoln, MT 59639.