Community Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska

It is no surprise that Omaha offers many community gardens since Nebraska is known for its agriculture. Here is what a community garden is and why you should join one in your neighborhood.

Community gardens are located throughout Omaha. They are located on a designated lot or parcel providing the setting and opportunity for area residents to grow flowers, herbs and vegetables who otherwise might not have the resources or needed space to do so. Community gardens in Omaha also strengthen neighborhoods because they create the opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other while volunteering in the gardens or attending various garden functions such as barbecues.

For those who are trying to 'go green' the community gardens in Omaha provide produce with less environmental impact. Fresh produce does not require the transportation, shipping or packaging as the produce purchased at the store. With local grocers becoming a rarity community gardens are especially helpful to the elderly or others who may not have transportation.

City Sprouts is the Omaha organization that maintains community gardens at 40^th and Franklin Streets as well as the Gifford Park community garden at 3416 Cass Street.

City Sprouts also offers classes that cover topics such as Caring For the Soil and Cooking From The Garden. More information about City Sprouts classes and gardens can be found here.

The Gifford Park community garden offers a Youth Garden and classes each Saturday morning at 10:00 am. This program will include topics such as Get To Know Your Garden, What's That Bug, Tree Walk and more. More information about this community garden can be found here.

The Big Garden is a network of twenty two community gardens located on the property of a church, school or nonprofit organization. The Big Garden is operated by volunteers just as the other Omaha community gardens are and offers youth programs and educational programs on food security, poverty and hunger. Area residents who volunteer in the Big Garden can keep or sell their produce. Surplus produce is donated to food pantries and other charities. A master gardener and summer interns provide vital training and education at The Big Garden on nutrition, gardening and food preparation. Living a healthier lifestyle and ganging new knowledge and skills enhances the self esteem of those residents who participate in community gardens who in turn become more valuable members of the community. Additional information about The Big Garden can be found here.