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Childhood Obesity Initiative

Community Garden
In spring 2006, the Owatonna Public Library was awarded $5,000 grant from Allina Hospital's & Clinics for their community garden. The Community Garden has enhanced the quality of life in Owatonna by stimulating social interaction, encouraging self-reliance, beautifying the downtown library location, reducing family budgets, producing nutritious food, as well as creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education in the community.

The Owatonna Public Library Community Garden brings together diverse members of the Owatonna community to provide low-income and at-risk children the experience of growing beautiful flowers and fresh organic vegetables.

In addition to learning the skills associated with planning and tending to a garden, these children have the opportunity to get some exercise, make new friends and appreciate the value of teamwork.

Public library staff, along with a local master gardener, help coach and mentor young people from the Girl Scouts and the library’s Teen Program. The vegetables and herbs grown in the garden are used to feed participants’ families and share with their neighbors – increasing access to and consumption of healthy foods in the community.  And, any surplus is distributed to the local food shelf.

Celebrating its third year, the Owatonna Public Library Community Garden has truly grown into a community asset.

Owatonna Hospital
903 S. Oak Ave.
Owatonna, MN 55060
507-451-3850
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