A program of AgriLife Extension Plant Pathology

*Texas Cooperative Extension is now known as Texas AgriLife Extension Service (as of January 1, 2008)

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Do you want to learn how to grow a few good edible plants? Would you like to help someone in need obtain fresh produce? If you answered yes to these questions, this is the place to be:

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The mission of the ECG@Dallas is to create a sense of community through urban agriculture. This is accomplished by:

1. a physical garden encompassing research, demonstration and community plots.
2. educational programs providing information to increase the knowledge and skills of participants and the general public.
3. surplus produce assisting in feeding the hungry.

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History

The idea for ECG@Dallas sprouted when several individuals at the Dallas Center had a desire to contribute to our local community through tangible actions and to highlight the work being done at the Texas A &M Research and Extension Center in Dallas. This project took root when some seed money was obtained through part of an EPA Strategic Agriculture Initiative grant. Various parties provided additional funding and donations of materials and labor to make this project a reality.

Construction of the ECG@Dallas began in late summer of 2006. The irrigation system was donated and installed by Ewing Irrigation Inc. Raised beds were constructed using cinder blocks and filled with a mixture of compost and soilless potting media. Decomposed granite, mined in Central Texas, was used between the plots for pathways. Decorative black iron fencing, donated by Highland Springs (Erickson Retirement Communities), surrounds the entire garden area. Both donated and volunteer labor brought the raw ingredients together in time to have participants plant some cool weather plants.

By October 15th, 2006 every available garden plot had an eager gardener ready to plant. There were even a few folks on the waiting list.

Community participants are expected to maintain their garden plots in good conditions; donate fifty percent of their product to local food banks identified through our partnership with the North Texas Food Bank; and attend at least 2 educational programs and donate 3 service project hours in a six month period.

FREE
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Educational programs will be held on the third Saturday of every month in the Whitehurst (Education) Building auditorium on the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center campus at 9:00 AM. These are 1-hour classes with the purpose of providing continuing education to ALL interested persons. These programs are open to the general public. For more information, contact Scherle Barth at 972-952-9210 or at ECG@dallas.tamu.edu