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Donegal Community Gardens

A Flourishing Community Initiative

Since its inception in a Getting Ahead class in 2022, the Donegal Community Gardens has evolved from a mere concept to a flourishing community initiative. Initially launched at Florin Church of the Brethren, the gardens provided a personal plot to five dedicated community members.

By the summer of 2023, the project expanded to include a second location at Mount Joy Mennonite Church. This new site focused on growing bulk produce such as potatoes and green beans, significantly benefiting the Donegal Power Packs program, which assists local families in need.

Looking forward to 2024, Donegal Community Gardens is set to grow even further, thanks to the generous donation of 3.6 acres by Donegal Presbyterian Church. This new land will enhance our capacity to cultivate a wider variety of vegetables, fostering greater community engagement and support.

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Donegal Community Gardens 2025

Donegal Community Gardens is having a great 2025 planting and harvesting season. It all started in March with residents of the Mount Joy Senior Apartments, who receive the free produce from the garden, helping to plant seeds. These 1,500 plants were placed in the greenhouses and eventually went into the garden space at the Donegal Presbyterian Church. Planting day was May 17th.

Over 20 volunteers came out that morning. We were able to plant over 2,000 vegetables including squash, zucchini, green onions, green beans, peppers, sweet peppers, eggplants and herbs.

To date, over 1,500 lbs of fresh produce was distributed to the Mount Joy Food Bank, Donegal Power Packs program, Mount Joy Senior Apartments, Etown Community Cupboard & Florin Church Breakfast Bowl events.

Thank you to everyone who helped pot, plant, and harvest the vegetables. The fall is occurring now. Produce will be harvested in October and includes: lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, and herbs.

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Garden Wishlist

If you want to help us grow the community garden here are some items we need for this year and next year.  We are thankful for your support!

  • 20 trowels
  • 40 pairs garden gloves
  • 2 wheelbarrows
  • 10 shovels
  • 5 garden hoses
  • 5 plastic totes
  • 5 big coolers
  • Hand Wash station
  • 50 new boxes/waxed boxes with plastic liners

Want to get involved?

Here are a few ways you can get involved in our Donegal Community Gardens Program.

FOR VOLUNTEERS

All volunteer positions are asked to sign a photo release to be used in social media posts/newsletter.

Volunteer positions require clearances such as PA criminal background check/child abuse.

A volunteer handbook is available to each person who volunteers.

Donegal Community Gardens Volunteer Opportunities

  • Weeding
  • Planting
  • Harvesting
  • Packing produce in boxes for distribution
  • Transporting produce for Power Packs, Mount Joy Senior Apartments, and Mount Joy Food Bank

Garden Locations:

  • Florin Church
  • Mount Joy Mennonite Church
  • Donegal Presbyterian Church
If you don’t see times that are convenient for you to volunteer please contact us at info@donegalfriends.org.
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