The PPCC Community Garden Project is ready to launch! Located on the west side of the Centennial Campus, just south of the soccer field and track, the Community Garden will provide produce for the PPCC Student Pantry, as well as the Culinary Arts Program.

The Community Garden will utilize general organic methods, and will be an ongoing educational project, designed to involve and engage PPCC students from a variety of disciplines as well as community members and local schools in gardening and green practices. Urban Farmer Katie Rosing, who will be the ongoing manager of the PPCC Community Garden, will be there to guide the volunteers from the College and the community who will help to maintain the garden year-round.

The raised beds for the Community Garden will be constructed during a “Blitz Build” on Saturday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers of all levels of skill and knowledge are needed to assist with this exciting project. Rosing and master gardeners from Pikes Peak Urban Gardens will be on hand to provide expert advice and direction. The Facilities, Maintenance and Operations Department has already installed the necessary farm hydrants, and the rich, fertile soil is on schedule to be delivered. Donations of lumber are needed as well.

Funding for the Garden was provided by the PPCC Foundation and Student Government. The Garden will be supported in part by paid subscribers, who will receive a portion of the bounty during harvest season.

If you would like to participate in the Blitz Build on April 11 and help with the creation of the PPCC Community Garden, call Nathan Dirnberger, president of the PPCC Culinary Arts Club, at 719-210-5165, or email communitygardenprojectppcc@gmail.com.