Inspired by various places she has lived and traveled, Amanda Schluenz has been envisioning a community garden in Fifield for some time.
"This is something that I thought about while trying to figure out how best to get to know this little community that I've joined. I gathered my seeds, watered them with wishes, drew up a proposal, and went to my very first ever town board meeting!" Amanda said.
Originally from Highbridge, just north of Mellen, she moved to Glidden, experienced college in Superior, and then moved on to Stevens Point, New York, Green Bay, and Georgia. The adventures kept piling on. "I've always been more of a rolling stone than a rock covered in moss, so I hadn't really set any "real roots," per say, until I found myself here in Fifield, of all places!" Amanda added.
While she was out east, she would travel through several small towns where she found local growers, farmers, and vendors. She got to know a core group of them, and one grower, Eugene, became her friend. He owns and operates a farm out of Liberty, New York. "I watched him build that from a kid on a tractor, for the first time, to this incredible man, self-educated farmer, set up shop, and succeeding! Watching him do that and then bring what he had to market each week really hit me. Watching the growers and the farmers and the artisans, all cheering one another on, and supporting each other; that's the community feel that I would love to bring to Fifield! Everyone growing and learning from one another and building those relationships that last, relationships like we had when we were young, and you could run though the corn fields to go ask for a cup of sugar. When you see your neighbor struggling, are you going to help or not?" Amanda shared.
While she claims she is not a master gardener, landscaper, or horticultural expert, she said she loves being in the dirt, fostering growth, and watching anything and everything grow and bloom.
Submitted image.
With her plan in mind, she discovered a 50 x 150 plot of land on Linden Avenue in Fifield, owned by the town, which was even larger than she hoped to find. She felt it would be the perfect spot for a quiet, beautiful educational space. Her initial plans are to build a small vegetable garden by the alley, and, as the hill slopes down, she will use that space as a quiet, garden park.
She said, "My vision is that it can be a teaching space for children; the schools could get involved, building boxes or benches or biology class or a basic gardening class." She also added, "We have an aging population here. This garden could provide some outdoor socialization, food for the needy, a safe space for kids to enjoy; a place to bridge the gap between the elders and the kids. A place to foster more volunteering and to get connected as a community again. I'm sure this isn't exactly what the assignment was, but this is my Fifield Community Garden fantasy."
Amanda's fantasy is finally coming true. She was excited to receive board approval from the Town of Fifield. "I also got my hands on three 300-gallon water barrels for the garden. After the meeting, speaking with the fire department and the town guys, we are going to work together to make this happen!" Amanda shared with excitement.
She added, "I am so very passionate about getting a real sense of community back. To me, that means we should be caring and growing for and with one another. We have an aging population with no one in sight to pick up the balls when it's time for the elders to pass along all their incredible knowledge. We need one another now more than ever. The young ones aren't taught the 'old ways' and will never get to know that feeling, and that hurts my heart."
Amanda is hoping the community garden will be one way to keep the 'old ways' alive. "I have ideas, and I'm so excited to share with anyone who will listen." If you are interested in helping Amanda bring her dream to fruition, via monetary donations or donations of time, you can contact her on Facebook. Soon, an account will be set up for donations at the Town of Fifield.
While Amanda has no huge expectations for a bountiful harvest this year, given the growing season is well underway, she stated she plans to get a feel for the land, possibly plant some bulbs for next year, and get some flowers in for this year. She is eager to see what can be done and where this journey will go.
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Park Village offers affordable, active living in a park-like setting for those 55+ and disabled persons in Park Falls. Rent is based on 30% Adjusted Gross Income. Small pets under 30 pounds are welcome. Contact Park Village at 715-762-4747.
(This post was last modified: 07-01-2025, 01:00 PM by My Northern Wisconsin.)
"This is something that I thought about while trying to figure out how best to get to know this little community that I've joined. I gathered my seeds, watered them with wishes, drew up a proposal, and went to my very first ever town board meeting!" Amanda said.
Originally from Highbridge, just north of Mellen, she moved to Glidden, experienced college in Superior, and then moved on to Stevens Point, New York, Green Bay, and Georgia. The adventures kept piling on. "I've always been more of a rolling stone than a rock covered in moss, so I hadn't really set any "real roots," per say, until I found myself here in Fifield, of all places!" Amanda added.
While she was out east, she would travel through several small towns where she found local growers, farmers, and vendors. She got to know a core group of them, and one grower, Eugene, became her friend. He owns and operates a farm out of Liberty, New York. "I watched him build that from a kid on a tractor, for the first time, to this incredible man, self-educated farmer, set up shop, and succeeding! Watching him do that and then bring what he had to market each week really hit me. Watching the growers and the farmers and the artisans, all cheering one another on, and supporting each other; that's the community feel that I would love to bring to Fifield! Everyone growing and learning from one another and building those relationships that last, relationships like we had when we were young, and you could run though the corn fields to go ask for a cup of sugar. When you see your neighbor struggling, are you going to help or not?" Amanda shared.
While she claims she is not a master gardener, landscaper, or horticultural expert, she said she loves being in the dirt, fostering growth, and watching anything and everything grow and bloom.
Submitted image.
With her plan in mind, she discovered a 50 x 150 plot of land on Linden Avenue in Fifield, owned by the town, which was even larger than she hoped to find. She felt it would be the perfect spot for a quiet, beautiful educational space. Her initial plans are to build a small vegetable garden by the alley, and, as the hill slopes down, she will use that space as a quiet, garden park.
She said, "My vision is that it can be a teaching space for children; the schools could get involved, building boxes or benches or biology class or a basic gardening class." She also added, "We have an aging population here. This garden could provide some outdoor socialization, food for the needy, a safe space for kids to enjoy; a place to bridge the gap between the elders and the kids. A place to foster more volunteering and to get connected as a community again. I'm sure this isn't exactly what the assignment was, but this is my Fifield Community Garden fantasy."
Amanda's fantasy is finally coming true. She was excited to receive board approval from the Town of Fifield. "I also got my hands on three 300-gallon water barrels for the garden. After the meeting, speaking with the fire department and the town guys, we are going to work together to make this happen!" Amanda shared with excitement.
She added, "I am so very passionate about getting a real sense of community back. To me, that means we should be caring and growing for and with one another. We have an aging population with no one in sight to pick up the balls when it's time for the elders to pass along all their incredible knowledge. We need one another now more than ever. The young ones aren't taught the 'old ways' and will never get to know that feeling, and that hurts my heart."
Amanda is hoping the community garden will be one way to keep the 'old ways' alive. "I have ideas, and I'm so excited to share with anyone who will listen." If you are interested in helping Amanda bring her dream to fruition, via monetary donations or donations of time, you can contact her on Facebook. Soon, an account will be set up for donations at the Town of Fifield.
While Amanda has no huge expectations for a bountiful harvest this year, given the growing season is well underway, she stated she plans to get a feel for the land, possibly plant some bulbs for next year, and get some flowers in for this year. She is eager to see what can be done and where this journey will go.
Park Village offers affordable, active living in a park-like setting for those 55+ and disabled persons in Park Falls. Rent is based on 30% Adjusted Gross Income. Small pets under 30 pounds are welcome. Contact Park Village at 715-762-4747.