Building Community

Opportunities to build community among Common Ground Garden subscribers occur throughout the growing season. In June, a blessing of the garden and “getting to know you” social takes place. In July, we gather to enjoy the Garden at an ice cream social. And in August, to conclude the growing season, a harvest pot-luck is held to celebrate another growing season.

Meet the 2009 Common Ground Garden Staff

Christi Nowak, CSB ’10
My name is Christi Nowak and I’m originally from Rogers, Minn., although my family recently moved to Annandale. I worked at the garden last summer and decided to come back for another year—guess the veggies made me do it. Working outside is also great, as is the community feeling surrounding the garden and the farmer’s market. I am majoring in biology with a minor in environmental studies. Last fall I studied abroad in Austria, which was a great experience, but it’s nice to be back in central Minnesota. This summer I’m applying to med school and will miss the first distribution to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). I would like to be a family practitioner and live in a rural area so I can continue my interests in gardening and outdoor sports such as skiing and biking. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you in the weeks ahead!

Faith Dammann

My name is Faith Kelly Dammann I was born in Monticello Minnesota to John and Tess, yet I have resided in St. Cloud for most of my life. This next year I will be a junior here at CSB. I am a biology major on the pre-optometry track. During the school year I am very involved with the Joint Events Council, JEC, and am beginning the recently accepted position of Co-chair this summer. I also am a part of the biology and pre-optometry club on campus. I am an avid sports fan and have been greatly enjoying the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals these past few weeks. This past Monday I just moved into my first off campus house and am already enjoying the perks of not living in the dorms. I must admit, I do miss Mom’s homemade dinners after a hard day at the gardens but I’ll be giving extra attention to the finding of good, simple recipes for the newsletter. I want to find recipes not only for our patrons but for myself!

This is my first year at the Common Ground Garden but I’ve been working with plants for as long as I can remember. Truthfully I have more knowledge about flowers and the aesthetics involved with the planting, upkeep, and planning of beds. One goal of this season is to increase my knowledge and understanding of growing vegetables. Hopefully by gaining hands on experience I will be able to start my own vegetable garden in the future and pass on some of my skills to family members and friends. I like to imagine a garden as a community, all these different plants sharing one common space together. I would like to enrich my surrounding community of family and friends with my gardening experiences from this season. In a way it’s like spreading the vegetable love so that other people will form a greater wanting to incorporate various vegetables into their daily diet and lexicon.