BERGSTROM COMMUNITY GARDEN NOW UNDERWAY!
We are delighted to announce that a 60-bed Community Garden next to our farm will soon become a reality for our east Austin neighbors! What You’ll Find at the Bergstrom Garden:
Raised beds (with rich soil & soil amendments)
Multiple affordable plot sizes available for a small rental fee
Shared tools and wheelbarrows
Water spigots and hoses for easy access
Plants available for purchase
Educational workshops and community events
A fun children’s area for our youngest green thumbs!
This is more than a garden — it's a shared vision coming to life, where stewardship, sustainability, and a love of fresh food connect us all. Join us this fall and grow with us — for your family, your neighbors, and your east Austin community.
HISTORY
The seeds for this long-anticipated neighborhood resource were planted by us in 2015 when Roberts Resorts purchased 250 acres along Decker Lane. This purchase included the established Oak Forest RV and Hidden Valley, High Meadows manufactured housing communities as well as the 1902 Bergstrom farmstead and 10+-acres we had been renting and farming for 10 years.
Deeply concerned at the prospect of yet another historic farmstead being paved over, we launched a campaign to save our farm and its historic buildings. We recommended that Roberts do something new, innovate by creating a tiny home community around a four-acre farm that included a community garden, edible landscaping and raised garden beds. Fortunately, he agreed and experts like TBG Partners helped craft this first-of-its-kind community.
Having lived in east Austin for many years, we know places to grow food are especially important given that our neighborhood does not have the same food options, parks or green space enjoyed by the rest of the city. And our customer surveys have repeatedly found that neighbors want to be able to garden. This need was confirmed when TBG Partners held neighborhood charettes in 2016 to identify local priorities. In addition to wanting more options for shopping and dining, (and a place to dance!), our neighbors said a community garden was a priority.
In anticipation of creating a community garden, our farm and Village Farm residents established the Garden Club in March 2021 to steward growing areas in and around our tiny home community. This group continues to meet monthly to discuss and learn, tour and plan. Anyone is welcome to join the Garden Club. No experience necessary. Monthly meetings are held on the farm on second Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00.
Many of our Garden Club members are accomplished growers who, through their persistence and commitment overcame many obstacles to create beautiful gardens around their tiny homes. We encourage you to come see them. Our members are also generous teachers who are spearheading the creation of this all-volunteer, resident-led allotment garden.
We couldn’t be happier that plots will be available for planting very soon! Stay tuned for more details…
