Saturday, 7 April 2018

Cultivating Community: Celebrating a Talented Gardener Kim Taylor


Cultivating Community:  Celebrating a Talented Gardener
CULTIVATE-to prepare for earth for gardening.
Kim Taylor came to a community garden meeting a few years ago, her enthusiasm infectious, her smile radiant.  We listened to her endless ideas, solutions to our garden challenges, it was obvious she knew how to create community in a group and get things done!
In between her innovative ideas were quick references to her vast repertoire of activity:  seed starting and repotting hundreds of tomatoes (indoors), being a foster parrot parent (think large cages, cantankerous birds), big pet dogs, wife/mom to a large family, many craft projects, innovative side businesses, varied volunteer initiatives.  The woman oozed creativity, energy and a tireless work ethic.  
PLANT-WATER-SEED
Kim took over the community garden at a critical time.  A busy lady, she started out at the garden coming to her plot at NIGHT! It was the only time she consistently had, with headlamp on, she’d work her plot.  She confessed this between laughter as her amazing husband Avi dug through the clay to install some edging.  She initiated grants, work bees, sponsorships, and connections in the community.  The spring and fall plant share success was due to her drive, ideas, organization and bringing her entire family of teenagers to volunteer.  It was never about her, it was about the people meeting, people learning, people gardening and growing.  Her smile was big, her laugh loud, her voice cheerful.
HARVEST TIME
Kim’s perennial legacy will always be hard work, ideas, relationship, positivity, friendships, and growth. 
Winter is a dormant season in the garden, a time of waiting and wondering about spring.  This year, we have waited and wondered about spring.  Kim has had a long winter of illness, the weed of cancer took over her body in March, but not her heart or mind and this year we will work to continue her legacy.
On behalf of the gardeners and their families we are grateful for you Kim Taylor.   We offer our deepest condolences to her family.  We will think of you on this journey of grief as we try to continue the work she started.  Kim, we thank you for working tirelessly, even while not well.  We will miss you and we take up the challenge to cultivate community like you did so well and so easily.
This year, the herb plot has been kindly sponsored by Kim Taylor.  We look forward to growing alongside your gift this year.


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