Powder River Trails: Broadus Community Garden

Published: 2019
By Julie Riley

The community overwhelmingly supported the Broadus Community Garden, an off shoot of the Powder Trails committee. * Volunteers built deer-proof fence and constructed raised beds; * First grade students painted rocks; * FFA and 4-H members built the fence and raised beds; * One FFA member leader attended regular planning meetings; * Local businesses donated materials and labor and hauled topsoil for the beds; * The Broadus Volunteer Fire Department provided a water tender truck for temporary water; * A 93 year-old WWII Veteran used his garden tractor to fill the beds with soil; * Another senior citizen hauled composted manure made deer-resistant adjustments to the gates. The garden was a coordinated effort with the City of Broadus employees, Powder River County Commissioners, the Powder River Manor and Maintenance Personnel, the County Health Nurse, the local NRCS office and numerous businesses and individuals. Generations were involved including nieces, nephews, children, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. The eight gardeners reported: • Loved watching things grow; • How the community came together to create a community garden; • Sharing produce with neighbors; • Broadus has some kind, considerate people! • Nice to see other gardens and gardening techniques; • Liked having raised beds that allowed minimal weeding; • Enjoyed helping water others’ gardens; • Created a sense of community watching out for each other’s gardens; • Being able to have friends and family help garden and share the produce; • My kids were able to explore the community garden and marvel at the other gardens; • Tasting and learning about new vegetables…kohlrabi! Grants & Donors that help “Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice” include: • School Community Development Council • National Parks Service • Montana Recreational Trails • Powder River Tobacco Prevention Coalition • Yellowstone Paddlefish Caviar Project • Visit Southeast Montana • Cans for Kids • National Resource Conservation Service • Town of Broadus Maintenance • Powder River County Maintenance • Mayor of Broadus • Local Residents and Businesses Grant Totals – $14,816.12 Donations Total - $7,826.00 Hours Donated – 185 Hours The Farmer’s Market, open Saturdays in August and September raised $3,000 for ten local vendors and increased access to healthy foods for the community.