Monterey Approves Community Garden

Monterey will construct a community garden behind Standing Stone Care And Rehabilitation Center.

Monterey Assistant Cultural Administrator Johnathan Phillips said the project could help with food security as 31.2 percent of the community’s population lives under the poverty line. Phillips said he would be dedicated to completing the garden for the community.

“I made a post a while back that I was going to start my own farm and start selling,” Johnathan Phillips said. “But since we have focused on this I’m going to erase that post and my spare time is going to be into this thing, so I will be saving a whole lot of money by putting in my work and volunteer hours for this project.”

Aldermen Jamie Phillips was concerned about the startup cost for the project. Aldermen approved giving $1,500 to cover the foundation for the garden.

Johnathan Phillips said the whole community would be able to access the garden. He said it would provide a place to gather and learn, especially for children.

“The kid area is pretty important to me because I feel like the grandkids and family members can come over and see the patients at the nursing home and it’s just a really healing thing,” Johnathan Phillips said.

Johnathan Phillips said he has a few volunteers but will need more volunteers to complete the garden on time. He said eight businesses have pledged to donate towards the project so far.