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Commissioners approve up to $700 in compost for Port Valley community garden
Summary
Port Valley Partners told the commissioners it needs 15–20 tons of compost for the first phase of a new community garden; the commission approved up to $700 in compost and staff confirmed loading but not hauling support.
The Bannock County Board of Commissioners on June 25 approved up to $700 worth of compost to support a new Port Valley community garden after hearing a presentation from the garden organizers.
Britney Hobson, committee chair for Port Valley Partners, told the commission the city donated an acre at North Arthur and King for the garden and the group plans a two-phase project that will prepare about 30 plots for the first season. "We're creating a community garden that's down on North Arthur and King," Hobson said, describing 10-by-20-foot plots, a donated shed from NeighborWorks, four plots reserved for food-bank donations, and a planned $30 seasonal rental fee to cover maintenance and water.
Hobson said the group has secured a $10,000 IFT grant and has five other grant applications pending but still faces infrastructure costs: about $10,000 to bring power and roughly $15,000 for water and irrigation. She asked the county landfill to donate compost so organizers can blend 15 to 20 tons with the existing soil for the initial beds.
Deon, a county operations staffer, reported the landfill has a healthy stockpile and that the requested amount "shouldn't be that much," estimating it at seven or eight loader buckets. County staff clarified they can load compost but do not have the capacity to haul it to the site; Hobson said the garden volunteers plan to transport the material themselves.
Commissioners and presenters discussed security and wildlife: Hobson said they plan lighting and a natural-looking post-and-hogwire fence and may bury chicken wire to deter burrowing animals. Organizers also intend to host educational programming with library partners and master gardeners.
A commissioner moved to approve the compost donation up to $700; the motion was approved by voice vote. Organizers said sponsors and contributors will be recognized on a garden sponsor board.
