Ames Today

The Boone City Council recently heard a proposal from Boone Middle School’s sixth grade Excel Program to start community gardens in the city.

During the Jan. 16 council meeting, which was streamed on YouTube, two students from the Excel Program and a teacher proposed the community gardens, noting that it would benefit the community. Their pitch included a proposed configuration of the garden and estimated startup costs of approximately $1,000 for picnic tables, seeds, gardening tools and other gardening supplies. Mayor John Slight noted that former Councilman Greg Piklapp reached out to the City when he learned the topic was on the agenda.

“[Piklapp is] with Stonebridge Church,” Slight said. “And they would like to work with you folks on this project. So we're going to get you his contact information. I think that you'll see that they'll probably be very helpful.”

In outlining the project, the students noted that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, City officials should seek new ways for members of the community to connect with each other and make relationships within their neighborhoods. They cited the community garden as one way to achieve that.

The students also said they would be willing to work to restore a piece of land that was once the site a community garden and make it useable again. They added that they would welcome anyone in the garden and would also appreciate any volunteers.

Members of the council approved the project, commenting that they were pleased with the proposal and applauding the students for their initiative.