The Nicolet College Board Monday approved the idea of allowing advocates to bring a community garden to the campus.
The Northwoods Community Garden group asked to collaborate with the college to open a garden on campus.
Rhinelander has a community garden but that space near Hodag Park grows food only for the local food pantry.
Officials say this garden would allow gardeners access.
Nicolet College Executive Director for Economic & Community Development, Sandy Bishop, explained many community and educational collaborations are possible with the garden...
"The plan ultimately would be to host workshops, lectures, do demonstrations, that kind of thing. We're kind of referring to this as a kind of "Fab Lab" for gardening. We understand the "Fab Lab" concept is quite well known..."
Nicolet Outdoor Adventure Series leader Terry Rutlin detailed the garden...
"It would be about one acre of land, somewhere out in the field, that would include about 48 plots...each plot would be about 10 feet by 20 feet and people would rent each of these plot...."
Rutlin says lot rental would be $30-$40 dollars.
The exact location of the garden is yet to be determined.
Board member Bob Martini said the location needs to be considered as the large field by the entrance of the college has other users as well.
The garden would not be supported financially by the college and staff would not be working there.
While the board approved the concept of aligning with the community garden group on the project, there are many details yet to be worked out including a contract and insurance concerns.. Those matters will be addressed at upcoming meetings.
