By Greg Ellison
(April 30, 2020) While pondering the evolving covid-19 pandemic last month from atop a blue Long 360 tractor, Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery proprietor Barry Mariner decided to forgo planting wildflowers and provide free community garden plots.
“I was out on the tractor just thinking about stuff,” he said.
Mariner, along with his wife Jeannie, are the latest generation to till the 12.5-acre farm that, until 2010, was a 164-acre agricultural parcel along Worcester Highway in Berlin originally purchased by Edwin and Susan Mariner in 1924.
“We have a lot of space … and we just felt like it was the right thing to do to kind of get back to our roots,” he said. “Basically, all I’m doing is providing space.”
In short order, the concept evolved into the Windmill Creek Victory Gardens, which includes 69 plots measuring 10 by 20 feet, with an associated Facebook group started on March 26 that as of this Monday included 135 members with more than 3,800 likes.
Harkening back to World War I, the “Victory Garden” movement took root in March 1917, when Charles Lathrop Pack established the National War Garden Commission just weeks prior to U.S. involvement.
After the Victory Gardens Facebook page was launched last month, with the name suggested by group member Debra Bowman, the plots were quickly gobbled up.
“We filled up right away pretty much and then we had probably a dozen people back out,” he said.
The overwhelming community response left ample folks in the wings to fill most of the vacated spots.
“We filled most of them within a few days,” he said. “I only have three plots left.”
While adhering to social distancing guidelines, gardeners began planting on April 17 in three-hour shifts over the weekend.
After initially toying with the idea of asking each plot tender to donate a small portion for a food truck venture, Mariner quickly changed course.
“Now I’m at the point where we’re donating the whole thing,” he said. “I’m not looking at getting anything back.”
Regardless of requested kindness, the participants have begun hatching plans to share future harvests.
“There are some people out here that are going to be donating their food to
Photo courtesy: Jeannie Mariner
Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery owners Barry and Jeannie Mariner
,” he said. “A bunch of people have talked about just donating back to the community, which is awesome.”
While supportive of any charitable sentiments, Mariner said the larger aim is for community members to grow their own produce.
“I’m seeing what’s going on out here and it’s a lot of young families and kids,” he said. “I want everyone not to stress and enjoy the experience of getting back to the old way of doing things.”
For more information search Windmill Creek Victory Gardens on Facebook or call 410-251-6122.