2017-Evening Planting at the Governor's Mansion with Grow Local Colorado

Start Date-End Date: 05/25/2017-05/25/2017 Land Manager Office: Grow Local Colorado Land Manager Contact: Barbara Masoner Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Come out with the family and plant a garden to help feed the hungry in our community. Description: About the 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 for Outdoor Colorado in conjunction with Grow Local Colorado. About the Volunteer Experience VOC is excited to team up with our long-term partner, Grow Local Colorado, to plant vegetable gardens whose purpose is to demonstrate the beauty of edible gardens, engage community participation, and inspire Denver residents to grow their own vegetable gardens. Volunteer work will be fun, easy, and child-friendly. Tasks will involve preparing the garden beds, weeding, working the soil, and planting vegetable seeds and seedlings. About the Overall Impact The produce that volunteers will plant will mature in the fall, and at that time be donated to local organizations including food banks, homeless shelters, and families in need. Further, by growing food locally, we reduce our carbon footprint (food isn't transported thousands of miles), minimize water use, decrease soil erosion, and help develop a sustainable community.This is a great opportunity for families and kids to earn their #GardenGuru digital badge! Learn more by downloading VOC's mobile app, YourCO. NOTE:MINORS ON VOC PROJECTSYouth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on single-day projects. Latitude/Longitude: 39.728752, -104.98192 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Easy High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 15 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 12 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 3 Total Volunteer Days: 15 Total Unique Volunteers: 15 Total Volunteer Hours: 30 Staff Hours: 2 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: On the evening of May 25th, 15 volunteers came out to the Governor's Mansion to plant a vegetable garden. The weather was cool as there was an approaching rain storm, but luckily the rain held off until after volunteers completed their work. All were in good spirits and everyone was very positive and excited to get to work. It took about 1.5 hours for volunteers to plant 1000 seedlings including the following vegetables: eggplant, kale, chard, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and planting various marigolds between. At the end of the season, these vegetables will be harvested and donated to The Gathering Place, a drop-in center for women, children and transgender individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. After the work was done, volunteers enjoyed donated Burritos, chips, salsa and guacamole from Chipotle and Guyaki Yerba Mate. All in all, it was a successful project and a lot of fun! Successes and Challenges: Success: A lot of fun, positive volunteers, easy work so kids can participate. Challenges: The gate for volunteers to enter had to be opened by a security guard so volunteers were waiting for a few minutes to get in at times. Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: