C’enyaexde Ugheli –
Something Good Grows

SGG is dedicated to operating a community garden for the people who live or work in the greater Palmer area. SGG supports the growing of annual edible, ornamental, and medicinal plants and provides a space to garden, build community, and improve the quality of life in the Palmer area.

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About

How to Pronounce C’enyaexde Ugheli

C’enyaexde Ugheli Something Good Grows Community Garden is intended for Palmer community members who need access to their own plot of land to grow their own food. We encourage our yearly plot users to grow ornamental, edible, and medicinal plants (except perennials), visit your garden plot often, and get to know your fellow community gardeners. Share questions, ideas, or concerns with other gardeners. Community gardening often involves finding creative ways to work together and always results in building friendships and strong communities!

The garden, located at 403 S. Alaska Street in Palmer, is a 22 bed garden space, providing a safe and healthy activity for their clients. Two of the garden beds are permanently designated for client use, alongside all other community members who wish to sow seeds of their own.

History

Alaska Family Services (AFS) – established in 1979 to respond to the needs of women and children in crisis in the Mat-Su Borough – wanted to make better use of their land (than a lawn), and contribute to the community. One of AFS’s many services includes access to healthy food. The obvious solution? A community garden! Thus, in partnership with Grow Palmer, the C’enyaexde Ugheli Community Garden was born.

C’enyaexde Ugheli is the Ahtna phrase for ‘something good grows.’ Naming the garden in the Ahtna language is acknowledgement that it is built on the ancestral lands of the Ahtna and Dena’ina Athabaskan peoples, paying respect to their elders past and present and honoring with gratitude, their stewardship of the lands of the Matanuska Susitna Valley throughout the generations.

With coordination on construction from Grow Palmer, Alaska Family Services, the Palmer High School Girls’ Basketball Team and numerous local residents – and generous financial support from the Palmer Community Foundation and the Mat-Su Health Foundation, raised garden beds were assembled by volunteers for the C’enyaexde Ugheli Community Garden on Alaska Street in downtown Palmer.

Garden Stewards

Maintenance and organizational issues of the Garden are administered by Garden Stewards, a group of local volunteers selected each year. Their role is:

  • Be the point of contact for members and perform other tasks that may be necessary for the smooth day-to-day maintenance and operation of the garden area.
  • Be responsible for developing and implementing the SGG Guidelines, Membership Registration, and Garden Best Practices.
  • Convene and facilitate meetings, set agendas, and communicate with all Garden Members.
  • Serve as the liaison with the property owners (Alaska Family Services).
  • Be responsible for the collection and safekeeping of all monies of the SGG.
  • Forward any grievances that cannot be otherwise resolved to Grow Palmer Leadership.
  • Call an annual meeting in January to develop Seasonal Garden Stewards and conduct any necessary garden business.

Meetings

The Garden Stewards meet a minimum of three times per calendar year: once pre-season (Registration, Marketing, Planning), once mid-season (Evaluation, Troubleshooting, Grievances), once post-season (Winterize Plumbing). The date, time, location, and agenda of all Garden meetings will be announced via email and Facebook with a minimum of one week’s notice. The Garden meetings are open to all members of the SGG.

Conflict Resolution Policy

The Conflict Resolution Policy provides a fair and consistent method in which to resolve conflicts. The system is a tiered process which, if need be, culminates in an Overseer review (Grow Palmer) and results in a final decision. Garden Stewards operate under confidentiality and with respect for all those concerned. If the conflict concerns one of the Garden Stewards, an alternate member will be appointed for the specific grievance.

Garden Guidelines

“I love my plots and fellow gardeners! By mutual consent, we watch out for and water each other’s nearby plots. That topsoil is fantastic – my veggies are growing like weeds!”

-Becky

“I love how this community garden came together this year. Good hoses, sprayers, compost, shed w tools (though I haven’t used them). I love seeing everyone’s setup, all unique. I have enjoyed meeting people there who have gardens. Keep it going! I will do another next year for sure.”

-Joanie

“I sold my home and no longer had a garden space. I had also retired. Add COVID to that and what’s a single senior with a gardening passion to do? Community garden to the rescue! The garden area is beautiful with the mural, split-rail fence, and benches. It is wonderfully functional with water, hoses, tool storage and tools to borrow, plus a compost bin. I am grateful for my garden plot and hope to have one again next year.”

-Barbara

‘Something good grows’

PALMER — On Saturday, dozens of community members and nine Palmer High School girls basketball players worked to create a unique opportunity for good to grow in downtown Palmer.

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Garden Plot Signups

Registration for returning gardeners is open! Membership is available to those who agree to uphold the SGG Guidelines and Best Practices, complete a Registration Form and submit payment in full.









    Preferences

    Yes, I had a plot in 2021No, I didn't have a plot in 2021

    Yes, I'd like the same garden plotNo, I'd like a different garden plot

    Site MaintenanceFall Cleanup (Hoses, Tools)CompostingGarden Steward (Assigning Plots, General Management)

    Garden Agreement
    I agree to garden respectfully with my neighbors and follow the Gardener Guidelines/Best Practices. I will work to keep the garden a happy, secure and enjoyable place where all participants can garden and socialize peacefully in a neighborly manner. I understand that neither Alaska Family Services nor Grow Palmer are responsible for my actions. I therefore agree to hold harmless Alaska Family Services and Grow Palmer for any liability, damage, loss or claim that occurs in connection with the use of the site by me or any of my guests.

    Conflict Resolution Procedures
    All parties are encouraged to resolve differences through open conversation, assuming best intentions of all those concerned. If no viable solution can be agreed upon, or there is no clear policy relating to a specific issue or concern, the Garden Member may grieve the issue to the Garden Stewards. Grievances will be kept confidential whenever possible. Stewards will review the appeal or grievance. If they are unable to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of everyone involved, the issue will be presented to Grow Palmer. Grow Palmer will make a final determination within a reasonable time frame.







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    Questions about community gardening or Something Good Grows? Get in touch using the form below.













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