By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

MADISON HEIGHTS — While flowers and fresh veggies are familiar fixtures in any garden, one local church is sowing the seeds of entrepreneurship and “food security.” 

The Madison Heights United Methodist Church, led by the Rev. Thomas Taylor, is in the early stages of a community garden and farmers market slated to open in spring 2010, providing sustenance for families struggling in a tough economy while earning green-thumbed citizens some cash on the side. 

“It’s about neighbors being neighbors, getting to know each other, working around a common goal, and the common goal is to garden,” Taylor said. “A lot of times, we want to look at our differences versus our similarities, but now we can say, ‘I’m here, my neighbor’s here, and we can produce foods to help people in the community.’”

Set on 7,000 square feet of field on the church’s west side, the proposed garden will divide the property into quadrants, with a possible compost bin out back and a boxed apiary housing honeybees nearby. Handicap-accessible paths and benches will provide easy access, and rain barrels will collect water to irrigate the gardens.  

Under the supervision of master gardeners from Two Women and a Hoe, a local garden design business, families and individuals can plant flowers and vegetables on registered plots of land. The planters then get first dibs on the crops, taking what they need for their family before selling the rest at affordable prices via the onsite market. 

Taylor said he hopes to expand the community garden and farmers market to all four corners of the city, possibly opening one centralized market location in the future.

In addition, Taylor is in talks with the Madison School District to arrange educational excursions for students in first- through 12th-grade, giving the kids a hands-on gardening experience and teaching them everything from self-starter business models to alternative fuels. Also in the cards is a youth bakery, as well as scholarships funded in part by the proceeds. 

Councilman Craig Hennigan voiced his support for the project at the City Council meeting July 27.

“As the reverend says, and he’s absolutely correct, the low-cost foods that low-income people are able to afford are, unfortunately, a lot of times not very good for you,” said Hennigan. “They’re not buying a lot of produce, and they don’t have the time to make a healthy dinner.”

He noted the market would provide nutritious, cost-effective alternatives for the city’s disadvantaged. “It’s a very ambitious plan,” Hennigan added.

 The final plans are being drafted, keeping in mind the Downtown Development Authority’s edict that it must not resemble a farm. In the meantime, funding may be an issue; while the church has independently raised more than $1,000 and is seeking grants from the mother church and other entities, local business sponsors and donations are needed, not only for money but also materials like topsoil.

Taylor said the project could also use people willing to contribute “human capital,” and that interested gardeners can attend an informational meeting at the church, located at 246 E. 11 Mile Road east of John R, at 9 a.m. Aug. 26.     

You can reach Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1104.