COMMUNITY GARDEN: WINNER
JEFFERSON STREET OASIS COMMUNITY GARDEN, SPRINGFIELD
Gardeners' comments: "A community garden on almost five acres in the middle of a 'food desert' on the southwest side of Springfield. The garden consists of 80 plots for the community to grow healthy food, areas for chickens of various breeds that provide eggs for the community, a pollinator garden, an herb garden, and a children's garden with an education building." Judges' comments: "Healthy, lush gardens represent a way for people to develop an area that sits within a food desert, growing and distributing fresh vegetables to the community that is brought together for a common purpose .