For 20 years, the Hudson, NY Community Garden has provided its members, the general public and the city of Hudson with a modest but meaningful place to practice and achieve both food justice and urban environmental sustainability. Each year, up to 40 families and individuals depend on the garden for serious food production--often for a significant portion of their diet. Many of the Bangladeshi community grow vegetables they cannot even purchase in a store in the area.

In the past two years, with a new small but focused and energetic volunteer Board that was consistently active through the 2011-12 & 2012-13 seasons, the Garden has seen many rapid improvements, including newly-designed and better-maintained common spaces and communal beds, overall improved infrastructure, as well as new programs such as public composting and both youth and adult educational, arts and culture programs for the public.  In 2013 the Board crafted a new mission and vision statement for the future that further expands all these programs to serve an even broader audience.  The Garden consistently has a waiting list for plots beyond its 40-family capacity.

But amidst all this progress, we have learned that Habitat for Humanity would like to purchase the city lots the Garden occupies, which the city has leased to us on an annual basis for 20 years.

While we feel Habitat's overall mission is also very worthy, dismantling the existing Garden would be a complete waste of resources as well as a shameful punishment of all the people who have contributed 20 years of sweat equity, generous in-kind donations and community spirit in order to build this amazing space to grow and connect. 

The current site is readily accessible to pedestrians. An organic garden is a delicate ecosystem that cannot be easily replaced or moved, and to replicate it elsewhere--even if a suitable site could be found--would require a great amount of money and labor.

Food justice occurs when food is fresh, nutritious, culturally-appropriate, and grown locally with care for the long-term well-being of the land--and is affordable/accessible to all.  Food justice leads to a strong local food system and regional economy, self-reliant and empowered communities, and a healthy environment.    The 2nd Ward which houses the garden has the highest concentration of families and the lowest concentration of green space in all of Hudson. Removing proudly-tended green space from the intersection of 2nd and Columbia streets is the last thing that should happen. 

The Hudson Community Garden is vitally important and should stay exactly where it is. With  a high density of residents already on that corner between Provedence Hall & Bliss Towers you need space for everyone to breathe. Green space helps to reduce crime.

At this juncture, the Garden would like to raise money to purchase the land from the city and secure it for the future.   If you would like to read the Mission and Vision statement to better understand where we are coming from and where we would like to go, send us an e-mail.

If you would like to contribute in any way you believe you could be helpful or know of anyone to connect us with please be in touch via e-mail.

e-mail: hudsonNYcommunitygarden@gmail.com    

blog: hudsonNYgarden.tumblr.com

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hudsonNYcommunitygarden

Sincerely,


Vanessa Baehr                                       Sarah Falkner President of the Board & Director          Secretary and Assistant Director