Community Gardens & Food Security

History

Food security is achieved when access to sufficient, safe, affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods is present at all times. The City of Billings - Community Development division created a Community Garden and Food Security Initiative as a part of the Billings Metro VISTA Project. Two AmeriCorps VISTA members worked on the initiative from July 2010 to July 2011 to increase food security within the community. As a result, several community gardens were created and are sustained by local nonprofit organizations today.

Community Gardens & Food Security - History & Outcomes

Current Initiatives

In 2017, the City of Billings' Community Development Division began spearheading a three-year urban agriculture initiative to promote food security and economic prosperity that included the following objectives: create community and container gardens; increase access to affordable, fresh produce; promote retail venue distribution / farmers markets to sell healthy food options in food deserts; and promote cost-saving urban agriculture design to save utility costs for low-income households. Through a community capacity-building approach, VISTA members work in partnership with individuals, community groups, businesses, and agencies to help develop the skills, resources and support needed to create and sustain food security initiatives.

How to Grow Sprouts From Home - Video
Canning at Home Presentation (compliments of the University of Georgia)

Xeriscaping:

Xeriscaping is the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. This means xeriscaped landscapes need little or no water beyond what the natural climate provides. It is a practical alternative to traditional lawns and gardens that is mutually beneficial to the homeowner and yard.

Xeriscaping - Basic Information Card
Xeriscaping 101 - Presentation (PDF)
Xeric Garden Design Examples - Drawings & Info
Xeriscaping 101 - Video (MP4) In this video, AmeriCorps VISTA Emilie Burditt walks you through the seven steps to a successful xeric garden. She covers what xeriscaping is, the basic principles of this environmentally-friendly gardening practice, and resources to further your garden knowledge.

Magic City Community Gardens Coalition (MCCGC)

VISTA member Jackie Patten pulled together a team of local community gardens, landscaping businesses, and sustainability organizations in 2019/2020 by founding the Magic City community Gardens Coalition. Their stated purpose is to "coordinate and communicate resources, workshops, donations and general gardening knowledge across these organizations to increase access to food security in our community."

MCCGC Partners:

Community Seed Bank:
MCCGC is preparing to open a "Community Seed Bank" at the Billings Public Library (kick-off date TBD). The seed bank will act as a resource center for all things gardening in Billings (i.e., seed-saving classes, community gardening workshops, events and local contact information, etc.). There will be a set of organized drawers open to the public. Community volunteers will operate the seed bank and people may "check out" seeds free of charge. Inventory will be tracked through a catalog system and seeds will be replenished every season through donations from gardeners.

Victory Gardens Donation Program:
Many in our community are faced with food insecurity, so there is a significant need for food assistance. Each community garden is therefore planting, tending, harvesting and delivering fresh produce to local distribution agencies. Collectively, these gardens have donated thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables each season to local food banks and nonprofits in Billings. Local gardeners have also stepped up to help alleviate food insecurity in Billings by planting one or two extra vegetables in their personal plots. Seeds are provided free of charge to gardeners willing to nurture plants to maturity and donate the produce. This program provides gardeners an opportunity to support and strengthen their community. Join us as we harvest hope throughout our city!

Victory Gardens recipients include: Salvation Army, RiverStone Health, Hannah House Ministries, Ronald McDonald House, Family Services, Billings Food Bank, Passages, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Family Tree Center, Montana Rescue Mission, Senior Citizen Center, Community Hope, and Peace Lutheran Church.