Farms & Gardens

So, this summer I'm working at the PEAS Farm up the Rattlesnake. I'm receiving credit for the graduate program I start this fall. This opportunity is available due to a partnership between Garden City Harvest, a non-profit in Missoula that has several farm and community garden locations throughout town...mostly in "urban settings" right within town...and often in neighborhoods with lower incomes, and the University of Montana.

A major issue for people on tight budgets is that the food they have access to is only found in the corner convenience store or in the nearest big box store. Here, they may find "cheap" food, but that cheapness is reflected in their health...which eventually becomes VERY expensive. You can simultaneously appear obese and be malnourished. It's horrifically common.

The farm I work at is a bit out of town and in a wealthier neighborhood, but it is also the largest open space (about 9.5 acres, a former dairy farm) that has become available to the nonprofit and was an opportunity not to be missed.
There are seven community gardens scattered throughout town with plots available for a very reasonable price to the public.
There are three farm/gardens, PEAS being one of them. We visited River Road and Orchard Gardens, which also sell some CSA shares in addition to having community garden plots. An additional farm is cared for and hosted by a youth home in the area.





The vigor, happiness, and curiosity exuded by each garden manager (Greg and Sarah) that we met with was intoxicating and enviable. Nonprofit work may not pay much, but if you organize your life around what you want and what you need, it can be one of the most fulfilling ways to spend the short time you have on earth.