Like many Master Gardeners, Christy Gray came to the program with a range of experiences and a strong affinity for her San Bernardino community. Since her graduation (class of 2017), Christy's love of gardening has helped her form ties with both new and well-established networks of people around such core values as self-sufficiency, growing food, and sharing. Whether trading cuttings with her plant-sharing group, taking a course in urban farming, or presenting at Master Gardener events, Christy's volunteering is all about building relationships.

From the outset, Christy was not shy about getting her hands dirty. In the training, she says, “I did my presentation on vermicomposting. Then I gave the worm presentation at the Herbivore Festival at Crafton Hills College.” With a strong interest in community gardening, Christy soon joined Highland's Giving Garden located at Highland Congregational Church. Founded in 2016 by Tracy Powell, the group includes Master Gardener, Jerry Poupard, and his wife, Robin. “Highland's Giving Garden has 24 raised beds," says Christy. “Twelve are rented by community members and 10% of our harvest must be donated to someone.” Produce from the other 12 beds goes to the food banks in Redlands and San Bernardino. "We also have a small orchard," Christy adds, "and all that produce also goes to the food banks.”  

Through the online community, Christy got involved with a plant-trader's group. Connecting with Inland Empire Plant Traders on Facebook, Christy meets up with the group every other month. “People bring different plants to give away,” she says. “Some bring other things, like jam to trade. One lady brings eggs. We save our egg cartons for her.” Through this network, Christy's learned to grow sugar cane (”It grows year-round!”), and she's learning about new plants shared by members, like Asian Pennywort (Centella asiatica), originally from Vietnam. “The lady uses it in salads and green drinks.” 

Learning is an important part of Christy's life as a gardener. This year she was accepted in Huerta del Valle's pilot New Farmer Training Program (NFTP). The seven-month course explores regenerative farming, food equity, community-building, and a full spectrum of urban farm management topics through presentations, field trips, and hands-on activities. Students who complete the training will be eligible to apply to Huerta's Farm Incubator Program, where they'll have the opportunity to receive subsidized access to land, equipment, and technical assistance as they launch projects under Huerta del Valle's supervision and mentorship.

Master Gardeners find opportunities to work with partnering organizations, like the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD), where we have dozens of shared projects. Christy explains, “I was in the first cohort of the Riverside Food Rescue & Waste Prevention Ambassador Program. We met five times and learned about various aspects of food rescue and waste prevention. At the end of the classes we had to do a community project and volunteer hours. I volunteered with Gleaners for Good. We collected citrus from community members and delivered it mostly to Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino  And I gave a vermicomposting talk at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD)."

As a Master Gardener volunteer, Christy has put her good learning to use as a presenter and facilitator. An example is this year's 2019 American Girl Tea Party, hosted by the Feldheym Library, in San Bernardino. As part of the event, Christy helped girls make seed paper using herb seeds from the San Bernardino Regional Seed Library (SBRSL) - another of Christy's MG projects. The Tea Party was co-produced by San Bernardino County Master Food Preservers. Master Gardener/Food Preserver Lynn Brown Summers organized the event, and Master Gardeners Tim Summers, Heather Ross, Christy Gray, and the author helped by leading garden-related activities. The result was a special day at the Library for San Bernardino girls and their families. 

Christy (center) with Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, Linda Yeh & Library Staff

Whether you are new to Master Gardeners, or a seasoned veteran, you surely want to make a difference. Why not take a page from Christy Gray's playbook? Find the heart of community through its gardens - and the people who tend them. Below is a list of community garden projects across the County, compiled by Robin Rowe of Master Gardeners. Thanks Christy, for the inspiration.

 

 

Community Gardens in San Bernardino County (February, 2019)

West County

Huerta del Valle, 831 Belmont St.  Ontario 91761. Huerta del Valle Contact: (English) alevine@huertadelvalle.org or (Spanish) malonso@huertadelvalle.org  (note that, in addition to the Huerta del Valle organization, there are several other non-profits that have plots at this site and sponsor programming).

             Earth to Fork Garden (Caramel Connections Foundation) has a plot at Huerta del Valle. Grows produce to give to the community. Sponsors Saturday morning talks for the community on gardening, nutrition and cooking topics.  Contact: Elizabeth McSwain (909) 697-9017, CCFevents2018@gmail.com

             The Root 66 Garden, Rancho Cucamonga, TheRoot66Garden@gmail.com. Contact: MG Amanda (beerootedbees@gmail.com).

            Chino Community Garden. 5976 Riverside Dr. Chino 91710. Contact: jvelasco@cityofchino.org 909-334-3258, (MGs Esther Martinez and Pam Snethen work here) Pam: snethepd@verizon.net

            Montclair Community Garden, 9500-9574 Ramona Ave. Montclair 91763. Contact: City of Montclair 909-626-8571

            Incredible Edibles, 740 W. 26^th St., Upland. Contact: Mary Petit 909-262-1855

             Rolling Ridge Elementary School, Chino Hills. Contact: Marissa_Lovato@chino.k12.ca.us, Stacy_Colby@chino.k12.ca.us , Anne_Whyte@chino.k12.ca.us. 909-628-9375.

             Cucamonga Christian Fellowship, 11376 Fifth Street, Rancho Cucamonga. MG Contact: Michael Painter, mahgsterp@hotmail.com

 Central County

            ***Community Garden at Anne Shirells Park in San Bernardino is being developed by the Akoma Unity Center partnering with the city Parks and Rec Dept. Contact: Micah@akomaunitycenter.org 909-217-7956 (MG Valerie Dobesh has been working with them).

             ***Benjamin E. Jones Community Resource Center, Located at 2972 California St. San Bernardino, CA.  Contact: Pastor Paul Jones (909) 296-1233  www.BEJCRC.org is planning a community garden with raised beds to open this spring.  (MG Valerie Dobesh has been working with them).

             Riverside /San Bernardino County Indian Health Inc. has a Community Garden at 11980 Mt. Vernon Ave, Grand Terrace. Contact: Valerie Dobesh

             San Bernardino Community Garden at 6^th and Pedley St, San Bernardino

             Veterans Exploration Garden, Speicher Memorial Park, 2501 Pacific Street, San Bernardino. Contact: Richard Valdez at DAVcal.org

           City of Rialto Community Gardens. Contact: 909-421-7222 (MGs Tim and Lynn Brown Summers)

1. At Grace Lutheran Church, 539 N. Acacia Ave., Rialto
2. At Bud Bender Park, 235 N. Lilac Ave., Rialto

East County

            Highland's Giving Garden, 3606 Atlantic Ave. Highland, 92346.  http://www.highlandsgivinggarden.org  Contact:Tracey Powell, 909-518-5056 (MGs Jerry Poupard and Christy L. Gray)

            City of Redlands 3 Gardens run by the Community Center:

                        Smiley Garden, 1210 W. Cypress, Redlands

                        Clement Garden, 501 E. Pennsylvania, Redlands

                        Lugonia Garden, East of Texas St between Lugonia and Pennsylvania

             Yucaipa Community Garden, at the Green Valley Village Senior Apartments, 34955 Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa.  (MGs: Jillian Kowalczuk and Adam Wagner)

             Loma Linda Community Garden on Van Leuven (largely vacant… needs someone to take an interest)

             Victoria SDA Church, 1860 Mountain View Ave. Loma Linda. Contact: Tom 909-556-8801

             Seeds of Hope School Garden, Redlands High School. Contact: MG Connie Kevari

 Peggy Christian Memorial Garden, 1102 Chestnut Ave, Redlands. Contact Paul Dickau, Helping Hands Pantry, paul@helpinghandspantry.org. 

 High Desert

Phelan Community Center, Sheep Creek Road, MG Michelle Hannon. 760-912-5779

             Physician Health Cooperative Corp. 16245 Desert Knoll Drive, Victorville. 760-955-9555. Contact: Kim Ammerman, MG Trainee and Administrator at PHCC.

             School Garden at Desert Knolls Elementary School. Contact: Valerie Kimmel-Oliva

             School Garden at Phelan Elementary School. (Doug Arnold knows of this)

 Mountains

Rim of the World Rec and Park District Community Garden at Mountain Communities Senior/Community Center, 675 Grandview Drive, Twin Peaks 909-337-7275

 Big Bear Community Garden Project has 2 gardens:

             “China Gardens” at 42050 Fox Farm Road, Beg Bear Lake

             “The Ranch Community Garden” on Lakewood in Erwin Lake  Contact: 909-866-9700 or bbvcgp.weebly.com

 

*** Gardens being built and to be finished spring 2019