Centennial showmanship

By Alice Dietz, Cowlitz PUD Comunications/ Public Relations Manager

Cowlitz PUD has acquired a 2.3-acre parcel of land, adjacent to the Baker’s Corner Substation located at 5746 Mt Solo Road in Longview, Wash. In the District’s continued efforts to engage the community through unique opportunities, the PUD has developed this property into a community garden. Garden plots became available for registration in Mid-April.

Cowlitz is contracting and consulting with the owners of Watershed Garden Works, Scott and Dixie Edwards. Coincidentally, the 5746 Mt Solo Road property was purchased by Cowlitz PUD from Scott’s mother, who had moved there with her husband around the 1940s and maintained it as a working farm while raising their family. There’s a lot of deep history of farming in the Edwards family, including Scott moving back to Cowlitz County and helping start Cowlitz County’s first Community Gardens. Watershed Garden Works are experts in farming and gardening and have been a wonderful community partner through this project. This piece of land not only has a deep history of farming but the soil has been maintained and preserved and is rich with the nutrients it needs to ensure quality growth.

Plots became available in early June and cost $35 each. All proceeds will go to the PUD’s Warm Neighbor Fund, which helps low-income families pay their utility bills. Plot availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, and limited to two plots per registrant. If the plots are filled, people will be added to a waitlist and contacted when a plot becomes available. Organizers are considering expanding plot space in 2024.

Alice Dietz is Cowlitz PUD’s Communications/Public Relations Manager. Reach her at adietz@cowlitzpud. org, or 360-501-9146.