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HART — Oceana County Council on Aging is one of 70 teams nationwide selected as a Phase 1 winner of the Cultivating Connected Communities Garden Challenge, a national competition organized by the Administration for Community Living, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The team will receive $4,000 to redesign and expand an accessible community garden at OCCOA’s senior center in Hart. For the past three years, the garden has provided fresh produce for many Oceana County older adults free of charge during the growing season.
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Updates to the garden will include accessible paths, more raised beds, and shaded seating for programs and for participants to rest.
“We started this garden with two goals: to provide fresh produce to older adults at no cost and to create a space for wellness and learning opportunities,” said Gwen Adams, who oversees OCCOA’s community engagement. “We’ve made great progress towards both goals, and by improving accessibility, we’re making it possible for anyone to volunteer and/or utilize the garden.”
OCCOA has partnered with Disability Network of West Michigan for guidance on accessibility updates and MSU Extension Oceana 4-H for garden expertise and youth volunteer support through its gardening club. The garden is also led by a team of older adult volunteers who care for, maintain and harvest the garden throughout the year.
“This challenge is about inviting people in. These Phase 1 winners show what’s possible when community gardens are designed to reduce isolation, increase access to healthy food, and strengthen community participation for people with disabilities and older adults,” said Dr. Rebecca Hines, commissioner of ACL’s Administration on Disabilities.
As a Phase 1 winner, OCCOA now moves on to Phase 2 of the challenge. Through mid-May, the team will put its plan into action and track results. It can earn up to $8,000 more based on its outcomes.
The Cultivating Connected Communities Garden Challenge is a national competition to expand accessible, inclusive community garden models. Learn more here.
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