Regenerators.earth Launches with Local Blueberry Project
Regenerators.earth launched this week in conjunction with a project to establish shared perennial food sources in two Athens, Georgia neighborhoods. The aim of the Regenerators website is to share information about how land and communities can be regenerated through intentional design. The site also aims to highlight and support regenerative projects in the Southeast bioregion, known as the Dixon bioregion.
The community blueberry project is the first project featured and supported by the site. Organized by Clyde Yates of Hungry Gnome Gardenscapes and Regenerators.earth founder, Bart King, the project will use donations and volunteer labor to install blueberry patches alongside roads in the Forest Heights and Newtown neighborhoods of Athens. Once established, the blueberries will be available for any passerby to pick and eat during season.
The organizers distributed blue flyers throughout the neighborhoods on the weekend of November 7, and donations will be collected by Venmo and check through November 30. All funds will be used to pay for materials and supplies (at cost) and will be reported with full transparency for anyone to view online.
Flyer that went out in Forest Heights.
“I’d like for this to be the first of many similar projects that can improve the quality of life and build greater community in our neighborhoods,” said organizer, Bart King. “In particular, we’re hoping to work with teenagers or children who want to help care for the plants until they’re established and ready to start feeding us.”
Residents of either neighborhood who want to host community blueberry patches in their yards can fill out the volunteer form on Regenerators.earth, or contact the organizers directly. Hungry Gnome will perform site assessments and order soil tests before leading the planting effort in early January 2021. Individuals or families who wish to volunteer their time and labor are also encouraged to fill out the form, and details about how to make a donation are available here.
The total number of plants installed in each neighborhood will depend on the amount of donations raised. “Because we’re doing this project in bulk and with volunteer labor, we’ll be able to get the plants in the ground with quality soil, fertilizer, mulch, drip lines and protective cages for $25 per plant,” Clyde Yates said. “That’s less than someone could buy the same size plant for at a local retailer.”
In the weeks ahead, Regenerators.earth will publish updates about the community blueberry project, as well as information about the value of establishing perennial food sources in communities. Other content planned for the website includes regenerative insights from faculty members at UGA’s College of Environment and Design, where King is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, plus reporting on projects throughout the Oconee River watershed and beyond.
