FELLSMERE — Community gardens in the City of Fellsmere will continue on for at least another five years, the Fellsmere City Council unanimously decided Thursday night.
The Council approved a 5-year memorandum of understanding with the Farm Workers Association of Florida, which has been working with the city for the last few years to establish community gardens throughout town.
Currently, the organization has established two gardens and is considering adding a third.
“We’re really excited about this,” Fellsmere City Manager Jason Nunemaker said of bringing forward the agreement with the organization.
He added that the 5-year agreement could be extended another five years, provided both the city and the farmworkers wish to continue.
Mayor Susan Adams pointed out that the City of Vero Beach just this week cleared the way for temporary community gardens on vacant lots.
“We’re such trendsetters,” she quipped.
The two existing community gardens are located at South Myrtle Street and Maryland Avenue and at 191 S. Willow St.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Farm Workers Association of Florida will be required to administer the gardens, seek additional funding to support the gardens, and investigate the options for a third garden site.
In exchange, the City of Fellsmere has agreed to provide funding for electric and irrigation for the S. Willow Street garden and the future third site, explore its own avenues for supplemental funding, and collaborate with the farmworkers to find a third garden site.
