COMMUNITY GARDENS

COMMUNITY GARDENS. In 2006 a community task force defined the sustainability principle of "healthy local foods" as:

         Sustainable Dubuque is a community that values the benefits of
         wholesome food from local producers, distributors, farms, gardens
         and hunters.

The first community garden was established in 2009. Dubuque Rescue Mission Director Rick MIHM approached city officials about the use of a vacant parcel located near the mission to provide fruits and vegetables to use in the Mission meals. Support of McGraw-Hill employees and other community members helped men staying at the mission learn life skills. In a similar way, the Dr. Viner Community Garden at Crescent Community Health Center had the goal of health education. Participants learned how to prepare the produce raised for healthy home meals.

Other community gardens in Dubuque were available to the community-at-large for free or for a small maintenance fee.

Those without space to garden or the ability to reach a distant site received help from the Denlinger Family Foundation and the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE. Those involved in this project received a wading pool full of dirt and compost to start their garden. Schools and day cares used the pools as teaching tools. Volunteers with the program sponsored events to teach people how to plant and harvest in the confined space.

Residents interested in participating could contact:

Dubuque Jaycees Community Garden at Veterans Park--www.facebook.com/DubuqueJayceesCommunity Garden

St. Luke's Wading Pool Garden Program--joconnor@cityofdubuque.org

Four Mounds Community Garden--chris@fourmounds.org

Dr. Viner Community Garden--call Crescent Community Health Center (1)

In 2026 the Washington Neighborhood Community Garden wh resich had been in production for fifteen years in the 1800 block of Washington Street was given six weeks to find a new location. The land on which it had annually produced as much as 2,000 pounds of produce was slated for development. The garden existed in one of Dubuque's most densely populated, low-income areas. While there was a nearby grocery store and food pantry, access to fresh produce was very slight. One resident commented that nothing stayed on the produce stand for more than an hour. Describing the area as a 'food desert,' the garden was the only source of fresh, homegrown produce for many people.

The garden received some grant funding from the city and local partners. Because it was operated as a grassroots cooperative, not a nonprofit or for-profit organization, raising money was difficult. While between $600-800 was needed annually, a six-week need to relocate increased costs substantially including the need to relocate plants. (2)

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Source:

1. Burbach, Cori. "Growing More Than Tomatoes in Dubuque's Community Gardens," Julien's Journal, April 2013, p. 46

2. Burwell, Grace, "Dubuque Community Garden to Uproot, Seek New Home," Telegraph Herald, April 3, 2026, Online