Community Garden
The Cross Lutheran Community Garden is a brand new addition to the church’s property, started in the fall of 2016. It is home to 12 raised bed garden plots that are meant to be cared for by different members of the wide-reaching Cross community, including church members, BOHEM participants, neighborhood residents, and church groups like Men’s Wellness and the Sunday School kids. The garden is an inclusive space for all who wish to enjoy it and is guided by this mission statement:
The Cross Lutheran Community Garden strives to provide a natural community gathering space where neighbors can learn about growing food. Our garden is a place where urban agricultural skills can be fostered and shared between peoples as we empower each other to spread sustainable healthy eating and living practices in the Milwaukee community.
Focus Points
- Empowering Education
- Environmental Responsibility
- Community Diversity
- Food Justice
Apart from the actual garden beds, there are all sorts of projects happening in the garden space. Three cherry trees line the eastern edge of the garden while a pear tree stands alone in the northwest corner.
A compost system is also found next to the garden shed and watering can filling area. In between the cherry trees sit 4 tires which happen to be the perfect size for potato plants. So check out the Tire Taters as they grow throughout the summer months! And lastly, while resting at the picnic table in the shade of the maple tree, you will find grape vines growing along the southern fence of the garden. We also hope to someday use that harvest for Communion wine.
IF YOU’VE GOT A KNACK FOR GARDENING, A GREEN THUMB, OR SIMPLY WANT TO TRY SOMETHING NEW, PLEASE APPLY FOR A PLOT IN THE 2019 SEASON! EMAIL foodjustice@crosslutheranmke.org FOR MORE DETAILS.
The creation of this beautiful green space would not be possible without the generous donations of time, effort, and funding from our church members and our partners, so a big thanks goes to Unity Lutheran Church in Brookfield, Fox Point Lutheran Church, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Outreach for Hope, and Cross Lutheran Church. You all helped make the garden what it is today!
Food Justice Ministry
The Community Garden is just one piece of the Food Justice Ministry at Cross.