2014-Evening Garden Harvesting at the Governor's Mansion

Start Date-End Date: 10/07/2014-10/07/2014 Land Manager Office: Grow Local Colorado Land Manager Contact: Barbara Masoner Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: Registration for this opportunity is full. If you register, you will be placed on the wait list. As space becomes available, we will move individuals off the wait list. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Colorado Governor's Mansion, located in the heart of Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, is a member of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Originally built as a private residence in 1908, it was given to the State of Colorado as an executive residence in 1959. In 2011, Governor Hickenlooper donated the plants that were to become the First Family's Giving Garden, planted by Volunteers Outdoor Colorado in conjunction with Grow Local. All produce grown in this garden is then generously donated to The Gathering Place, a local women's shelter. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY We return to the Governor's Mansionin the fall having planted in the spring, to perform the final harvest before putting the garden to rest for the coming winter. This project is one of several where we will be wrapping up the gardening season for those Denver City Park vegetable gardens planted in the spring. The purpose of these projects is to demonstrate the beauty of edible gardens, engage community participation, and inspire Denver residents to grow their own vegetable gardens. In addition, all produce will be donated to local organizations including local food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. Volunteer work will be fun, easy, and child-friendly. Tasks will involve harvesting, weeding, and raking the soil a final time. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Grow Local Colorado Denver Parks and Recreation Xcel Energy REI ?Lockheed Martin The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation Latitude/Longitude: 39.728752, -104.98192 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 20 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 15 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 5 Total Volunteer Days: 20 Total Unique Volunteers: 20 Total Volunteer Hours: 40 Staff Hours: 1 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: Volunteers performed a final harvest of the garden planted in the spring at the Governor's Mansion. 300 square feet of garden was harvested, weeded and raked. Produce harvested will go to charity. Some of the veggies included, tomatoes, kale, squash, peppers and basil.