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Donate Items (NEW & USED) to the garden:
About the Garden
Promoting Health & Exercise
Whether you’re a member, guest, or volunteer, working in the garden will provide a healthy outlet through physical activity. The garden will also make incorporating fresh produce into your diet easier and more accessible.
Providing Fresh Produce
Every person deserves access to fresh, healthy food — this garden will provide exactly that! Garden members are able to take the produce they grow and harvest, guests can tend to and collect from the communal beds during select hours, and all excess produce will be donated to local food banks.
A Community Gathering Place
Located in the heart of Lexington Park, the garden will be a place for community members to meet and work together. Events and educational programs will also be hosted at the garden to help with gardening basics, nutrition, and more.
Location & Hours
The garden is located in Lexington Manor Passive Park near the Lexington Park Post Office, across from Three Notch Theater.
ADA Accessible & Open To All
One of our goals for the garden is to make it a safe space for the community. One of the We offer garden beds on legs to allow gardeners to work while seated, and are currently raising funds to ensure the surfacing in the garden is ADA Accessible.
How Does it work?
The public section
The public section includes half of the in ground beds and is dedicated to our garden community and Feed St. Mary’s. Our produce first goes to our volunteers, and all excess is donated to Feed St. Mary’s, which then distributes the produce to local food banks. Come visit us during public hours to check out the garden, garden with us, and take produce home with you!
This is a great a great choice if you are:
- New to gardening
- Unable to rent a plot (due to commitment, waitlist, etc.)
- Looking for a way to give back to the community
- Looking for community
The rental section
Interested in gardening but don’t have a space? If so, rental plots are for you!
Rental periods go for one year starting March 1st. We offer in ground beds, raised beds, and standing beds at different prices.
If you use SNAP EBT, WIC, Free or reduced school meals, or Medicaid, then you are eligible for a free plot thanks to the St. Mary’s County Health Department.
Garden events & community
More info coming soon!
The Current Model
Management: Steering Committee
Learn
Rent
Types of plots
How It Works:
1. Choose what you want to plant
** Some restrictions apply based on height & invasiveness – see Rules & Expectations for Renters
2. Tend to your plot anytime during the day
By accessing the garden using the gate code
3. Connect with the garden community
Through monthly meetings, events, produce exchanges, and more!
4. Enjoy your harvest!
Check out the rules here:
Amenities:
Beds:
Your bed is already set up, filled with compost, and ready to be planted!
Tools:
You are able to access the shed using a code and are more than welcome to use tools, gloves, bags, etc.
Water:
The garden is irrigated, so you don’t have to come and hand water your plants. Otherwise, you’re welcome to use the hoses and watering cans we have.
Resources:
You will have access to our gardening resources and are invited to attend our monthly educational events. If you have any questions, our team of gardeners is here to help!
Thinking About Renting a Plot?
Registration is NOW OPEN!
Prefer a paper form?
Get paper forms from the Lexington Park Library hallway or download and print your own using the link below. You can place completed forms in the box next to the flyers, mail it to our address/drop it in our mailbox, or email it to carla.wilson@stmaryscdc.org
Volunteer
Garden in Communal Plots
Rent A Plot
Join the Steering Commitee
Aid in Fundraising & Outreach
Help Construct the Garden
Donate
Support Us
As a non-profit organization, we rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses like you. We currently have funds for the basic construction of the garden, but still need to cover significant expenses to open in 2024. We’re making one final push to reach this opening goal.
Fundraising Efforts
Funds Raised
$
0
Total Fundraising Progress: Goal of $40,000
Shed: Goal of $8,000
$8,000
100%
100%
Operations*: Goal of $21,000
$17,000
80%
Irrigation: Goal of $13,000
$10,000
78%
Continued Construction*: Goal of $12,000
Web Designer
0%
“Operations” includes: Payroll for the garden manager, hoses, replacement tools and tiles, mulch and soil, etc.”
Sponsor Tiers
Receive Tax Credits!
Businesses and individuals that donate $500 or more are eligible to earn up to half the value of their donation back in the form of Maryland State Tax Credits, in addition to the standard tax deduction!
How to Donate
Any amount is much appreciated! We will send you a receipt of your donation that you can use for a tax deduction.
Donate Online
You can donate via PayPal or credit/debit card. You can donate one time, monthly, or yearly.
Donate by Mail
Please Mail Checks to:
Attn: Taylor Smith St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation 46940 S. Shangri La Dr., #7 Lexington Park, MD 20653 Memo: “Community Garden”
Donate Goods Or Services
We would greatly appreciate donations of soil, mulch, and tools. We’re looking for very specific soil & mulch products. If you’re interested, please send us an email at office@stmaryscdc.org. If you have any miscellaneous garden-related items you think we could use, please let us know!
Donate & Earn Tax Credits
Businesses and individuals that donate $500 or more are eligible to earn up to half the value of their donation back in the form of Maryland State Tax Credits, in addition to the standard tax deduction!
This includes donations of goods or real property that are at least $500+ in value.
For example: if you donate $1,000, you are eligible to receive $500 worth of Maryland State Tax Credits and will receive a $1,000 Tax Deduction.
Brought to You by:
The Maryland Community Investment Tax Credit Program
Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions
- Both Maryland State Tax Credits and Tax Deductions reduce the amount of taxes you owe
- Maryland State Tax Credits are subtracted after the tax rate is applied
- Tax Deductions are subtracted before the tax rate is applied
- Maryland State Tax Credits have a greater impact than Tax Deductions of the same value
