Community Garden Program
The Rock County UW-Extension office, in conjunction with the Rock Prairie Master Gardener Association, is initiating an effort to promote community-based gardens throughout the county.
Our goals are to:
- Increase food security activities
- Develop capacity among existing community food resources in low income and underserved communities in the Rock County area
- Improve economic self-sufficiency
- Increase community access to culturally appropriate and nutritious food
- Make connections between community members, organizations and resources to ensure the viability and longevity of county-wide food system.
Specific goals include:
- Improve family fruit and vegetable production, consumption and access in low-income neighborhoods.
- Improve accessibility and utilization of diverse, sustainable seed and plants.
- Increase interaction among people in low-income neighborhoods.
- Strengthen relationships between low-income/resource people in neighborhoods with both city, county and extra-neighborhood resources.
- Increase production of fresh perennial foods in public and semi-public neighborhoods.
- Expand access to fresh perennial foods for low-income residents.
- Expand economic activity associated with existing community gardening.
- Increase food production in existing community gardens.
Our Community Partners:
 The Rock County Farm and Community Garden
The Rock County Farm and Community Garden is located on Hwy 14 west of Janesville, next to the Rock County Sheriff's department.
Rental Information
20' x 25' plots are available for local gardeners. A single plot can be rented for a season for $25, which includes an initial tilling and access to water. Gardeners can access the plots for planting beginning May 1.
For more information on plot rentals, please contact the Rock County UW-Extension office at (608) 757-5696. |
Rotary Gardens’ Children’s Garden, Janesville.
Since 2003, this dedicated space in Rotary Garden’s 20-acre botanic garden has been planted and maintained by local youth groups including the area Boys and Girls Club and 4-H. A ten-week gardening and nutrition education program is implemented through the summer by gardening assistants.
Corn, beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, brocoli, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers; Mixture of ornamental woody plants and herbaceous perennails.
10-week gardening program in conjunction with the Janesville Boys and Girls Club and Rotary Gardens.
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 Rock County Sheriff’s Department Garden, Janesville.
Rock County’s RECAP program utilizes a ¼ acre portion of the Rock County Farm for various vegetable gardening endeavors; produce is utilized in the kitchen of the sheriff’s department and donated to local food pantries.
Corn, beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, brocoli, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers
Summer-long gardening program in conjunction with the Rock County Sheriff's Department.
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Edgerton Assisted Living Bird Garden, Edgerton (NEW 2006)
As individuals transition into assisted living, Master Gardeners ease the process by hosting garden programs on site, including a demonstration garden which attracts various birds for the residents’ enjoyment.
Mixture of ornamental woody plants and herbaceous perennails. Master Gardener sponsored garden. |
Rock Haven Healing Garden, Janesville (NEW 2006)
The solitude of a garden brings tranquility to individual’s lives. Master Gardeners and Rock Haven have worked in conjunction to build a healing garden to benefit the residents and employees at this county operated health facility.
Mixture of ornamental annuals and perennials Master Gardener sponsored garden. |
Rock County 4-H Garden, Janesville (NEW 2006)
4-H and Master Gardeners work together to create a fun and educational garden.
Mixture of ornamental annuals and vegetables.
Master Gardener sponsored garden. |
Primetimer’s School Garden, Evansville (NEW 2006)
The unique location of the senior center in the middle school offers a multigenerational gardening experience for all involved.
Corn, beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, brocoli, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers Volunteer sponsored garden. |
 Good Shepherd Community Garden, Beloit (NEW 2006)
At this Head Start satellite location, families are given the opportunity to augment their diets by working in this UW-Extension sponsored garden and to harvest fresh grown produce to use in their homes.
Corn, beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, brocoli, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers Offered in conjunction with the Beloit Head Start. |
Merrill Park Community Garden, Beloit (NEW 2006)
Neighborhood residents, city officials, and UW-Extension have partnered to create a community garden featuring fresh vegetables and flowers for the use and enjoyment of all residents in this low-income area.
Corn, beans, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, brocoli, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers
Contact: Anna Kokity, Project Coordinator, (608)-289-8500, merrrillgarden@yahoo.com
Location: 5th and Merrill Street, Beloit |
Merrill Elementary School Garden, Beloit (NEW 2006)
School staff and UW-Extension work in conjunction with elementary students in a gardening program during the school year and summer.
Popcorn, beans, cucumbers, mini-pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, peas, carots, chives, and flowers.
Offered in conjunction with Merrill Elementary School and Summer School. |
Home Gardening Program, Beloit (NEW 2006)
UW-Extension nutrition educators work in tandem with Head Start’s home visitation program in order to educate families on the ease of growing their own produce at home.
Tomatoes, onions UW-Extension sponsored program. |
If you have
any questions regarding Horticulture in Rock County, please contact:
 Mike
Maddox
Horticulture Educator
Rotary Gardens / Rock County UW-Extension
1455 Palmer Drive
Janesville, WI 53545
Phone: 608-757-5696
Email: mike.maddox@ces.uwex.edu
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