HART goes into hibernation

The Hanna Agricultural Resource Team (HART) has been getting ready for the change of seasons. On September 24, the organization had their last barbeque for the summer. It actually was in the Hanna Hometown Market because weather was threatening to drown anything outdoors.

HART is a garden group in Hanna that not only runs a community garden compound behind the Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School; the group has gotten together at least every other weekend and has a barbeque usually at the picnic area of the Hanna Recreation Center.

HART was established over five years ago when the Carbon County School District No 2 (CCSD2) donated some land that the old Hanna Elementary School had been located. Through donations from all sorts of businesses, the group achieved building a community garden.

Last year the gardens were moved from their first site to the present location when the land they had been on was designated as the area to put a temporary cement plant.

It worked out well for HART as their new location has better water access and is easy for students to work at.

The organization offers scholarships to students who take an interest in gardening.

The garden organization opens the barbeques to the whole community, not just members of the group. 

The September 24 event was well attended, even though it was inside.

Ellen Freeman, an original member of HART and vice chairman recounted the summer. 

"We had 15 gardeners and 22 members in the club this year," Freeman said.  "We have five families that are considering gardening with us next year and we plan to continue our outreach to the community."

Freeman was happy with the students and schools in Hanna.

"The elementary school had one bed plus we planted pumpkins in two beds for a pumpkin patch," Freeman said. "The school has been a very kind host. The high school science class will do some soil samples for us in one of their science units this winter." 

Freeman said HEM provided water, mowed around the gate, tank, and chased off several snakes.

The group has been getting tremendous donations from businesses as far away as Laramie and as close to down the street in Hanna.

"We now have a pressurized water system. That is what all the donations went toward purchasing," Freeman said. "Not only is it pressurized but we feel it is safer for our gardeners to use without trip hazards." 

HART had its last meeting on September 30 until spring. It does not mean the organization goes into true hibernation. It will still be active during the winter.

"We are forming sub committees to work on cold frames and bylaws for the group this winter," Freeman said. "We plan to have a Christmas party and participate in the Christmas bazaar at the Rec Center." 

Freeman is optimistic about how HART will continue to grow its membership through working with the community.

"Moving was a very trying time but the garden is bigger and better and can accommodate many more families," Freeman said. "We hope that the community garden is meeting not only plant growing needs but community building needs as well."

On September 30 the group went through the by laws and will rewrite them. A copy to each gardener this winter with hopes of ratifying them come spring. HART went over the shutdown procedures for the garden and then adjourned until next spring.

Freeman again made clear local businesses like Shively's, RNB State Bank, Fivas Truck in Hanna were essential to getting the community garden going. There were three lumber stores, three hardware stores and retail stores who contributed that Freeman said were generous and helpful. She feels these establishments understand what it is like to make something like HART succeed in a small town like Hanna.

"Our goals are growing plants, the beautification of Hanna, community building, and supporting our youth," Freeman concluded. "HART started out wanting to build goodwill through gardening and greening up the town. I feel after five years we are doing just that."