By Patrick McCallister
For Hometown News
PIERSON - The Farmworker Association of Florida is looking to grow half an acre of community spirit.
Last month the Pierson Town Council approved the association's plan to start a community garden at the Pierson Town Park/Chipper Jones Family Sports Complex, 124 W. Washington Ave.
"We'd like to plant in October, November," Blanca Moreno, outreach worker for the association, said.
All the association needs to start planning is money and supplies.
Ms. Moreno said the association has applied for various grants and plans to ask area businesses for help getting the garden started. About 20 families, she said, have expressed interest in helping plant, maintain and harvest it. The harvest will go to the families that participate in the garden.
Plans are to till about a quarter acre for direct planting, and to cover the rest of the area with elevated beds. Ms. Moreno said there are a number of vegetables participating families could plant. The association has had another community garden for about five years.
"I'm so excited," Ms. Moreno said. "I have good experience in Apopka, so I'm bringing my hopes over here."
Debbie Bass, town clerk, said the council agreed to the community garden, but the town attorney, Noah McKinnon, has to write up an agreement for the association to sign before planting can begin.
"It's kind of open-ended right now," Ms. Bass said. "We don't have a written agreement with them - it's verbal. We're going to give them a year from whatever date they sign the agreement. After a year, if we're both happy, we can extend it past a year."
Ms. Moreno said the association, which is mostly immigrant Hispanics, hopes to get other townspeople involved with the garden.
"We're inviting everybody," she said.
To offer donations, or to volunteer for the community garden, call Ms. Moreno at (321) 323-4075.