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Health & Fitness

Vernon Area Public Library community garden to grow learning and volunteer opportunities

The Vernon Area Public Library will break ground on a community vegetable garden in May. The garden will provide education & volunteer opportunities for all ages, and a resource for a food pantry.

The Vernon Area Public Library will break ground on a community vegetable garden this spring, just in time for the summer reading program, “Dig into Reading.”  The library garden will provide a variety of education and volunteer opportunities for library patrons of all ages, as well as a resource for a local food pantry.

 

  • Saturday, June 1 - Dig in! Library patrons are invited to launch the garden with planting the first vegetables, guided by a Master Gardener from the University of Illinois Extension Office. Youth (grades 1-4 with a caregiver) can register in advance for the 9:30-10:30 a.m. planting session; adults can register for the 11:00 a.m. – noon session. 
  • Monday, June 3 - University of Illinois Extension Office Master Gardener will teach summer volunteers how to care for the garden, including watering, weeding, and harvesting vegetables.  Patrons can register for one shift, 4:30-5:15 p.m. or 6:30-7:15 p.m.
  • From June 9 through September 30 - Organized groups such as families, neighbors, book clubs, or scouts, can experience the rewards of nurturing a garden by  volunteering to provide one week of care for the garden.

The library’s summer programs will continue to highlight gardening, nature, and healthy lifestyles.  All vegetables harvested from the garden will be donated to the Sharing Hands Food Pantry at St. Mary’s of Vernon.

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Charles Fiore Nursery and Landscaping Supply, in Prairie View, IL, is generously donating the soil mix and plants for the library garden. 

Individuals or groups who want a fun and healthy way to enjoy the outdoors this summer can sign-up for the volunteer opportunities by sending an email to garden@vapld.info.

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  About the Vernon Area Public Library District

The Vernon Area Public Library District serves a population of 41,000 within a 29-square-mile area that includes Lincolnshire, Prairie View, and parts of Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Riverwoods, Vernon Hills, and unincorporated Vernon and Ela Townships. For more information about the library and its services, visit http://www.vapld.info.

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