Tacoma Daily Index, Washington August 15, 2006 County site named nations best
Pierce Countys work to transform a hazardous waste site into a rural neighborhood and community garden has been named an award winner by the National Association for County Community and Economic Development. The Community Services Departments Orchard project near Roy won the 2006 Community Development Award, which will be presented during the associations 31st annual conference Sept. 12 in Allegheny County, PA. Association Vice President Brian Cramer of Fort Worth, Texas, awards committee chair, said 21 nominations were received for the award from across the U.S. Community Development is one of seven award categories. The Orchard, an 18.3-acre Planned Development District, provides affordable housing to six families and fresh fruit and produce for the Emergency Food Network of Pierce County. The EFN supplies 70 food banks and will use the Roy site to supplement produce from its Mother Earth Farm between Sumner and Orting. The Korean Women's Association, a local housing and supportive service provider, was selected through a public process to operate the housing units. For more than 20 years the property owner stored chemicals, diesel fuel, tires and other hazardous materials on the site. Listed on the state Department of Ecology's list as a high-priority for cleanup, the site was acquired by the Pierce County Health Department in a sheriffs sale in 1986. The property was donated to the Pierce County Community Development Corporation in 2000 and work to clean up the property began. Through its agricultural use and community education, The Orchard will provide a self-sustaining community aimed at providing food and services to the citizens of Pierce County. The Orchard will be a positive contributor to the community for many years to come, said Tom Hilyard, director of Pierce County Community Services. The project's $1.5 million cost was covered by Community Development Corporation funds and federal and state sources. ) Copyright 2006 Tacoma Daily Index ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
