West Plains libraries to host urban farming events

A chance to become an expert in urban farming is quickly approaching at some of the West Plains libraries. The first events will take place on March 25 at the Cheney and Airway Heights branches.

Cheney will host "Container Vegetable Gardening" from 2 – 3 p.m. At this event, people can learn about urban container gardening with Marilyn Lloyd. They will learn about the number of easy vegetables that can be grown in simple containers so that anyone can enjoy fresh vegetables.

Over in Airway Heights, they will offer "Introduction to Raising Chickens," also from 2 – 3 p.m. People will have a chance to learn the basics of raising chickens within urban areas from Sue and Paul Puhek of S&P Homestead Farming.

"Gardening and backyard 'farms' have always been of interest in our area," Jane Baker, the communication and development officer for the Spokane County Library District said in an email. "This is one reason that the Library District started a seed library a few years ago that has since expanded to five locations. The popularity of the seed libraries is the inspiration for the classes and workshops that make up our urban farming series."

Cheney and Medical Lake libraries have also become "seed libraries." With this program, people can borrow from a selection of vegetable and flower seeds available in the seed libraries, plant them in their garden and watch them grow. When it's time to harvest, people should let a plant or two go to seed and bring some back to the library for the next round of gardeners to enjoy.

"There is also a surge in popularity of the farm-to-table movement for people to grow their own produce and self-sustainability," Baker said. "There is a lot of interest from beginning gardeners. The library is a great place to connect them with the more experienced gardeners."

More urban farming events will also be coming up in Cheney and Medical Lake in April. 

For more information, contact your local library for specific details.

Contact information for the following libraries:

Airway Heights: (509) 893-8250

Medical Lake: (509) 893-8330

Cheney: (509) 893-8280

Patrons can also visit the Spokane County Library District’s website (www.scld.org) for more information on local library programs.

Grace Pohl can be reached at [email protected].