LEC is excited to announce that the Homestead Apartments Community Garden is up and running!  This project was created in partnership with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership and the residents of Homestead, and provides space for residents to grow food for their families.

"When we first began envisioning the garden with Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, we would have been delighted if 2 or 3 families wanted to participate in the first year," said LEC Executive Director Laura Marsala Peterson.  "We are beyond thrilled to have 13 families gardening!"  The garden consists of a fenced in area with 13 plots for families and a children's garden.

Marsala Peterson and LEC Volunteer Lynn Rozen have worked with residents to turn over the plots, create pathways, and offer gardening instruction as needed.  They will meet weekly with residents throughout the summer and have monthly gatherings in the new garden space.

This was LEC'S first Community Garden Consulting Project, and Marsala Peterson said it has exceeded all expectations.  "This project has been successful because it was implemented in partnership with residents, ensuring that we built a garden that met the specific community's needs," she said.  "It has given us a template for how to work with future clients to install community gardens."