Raising money to cultivate history
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Posted 9:31 PM 12/5/2011 : Raising money to cultivate history
TUCSON - Plant it and they will come.
Archaeological research shows the 4-acre piece of land at the base of "A" Mountain has been used in agriculture for more than 4,000 years. That's longer than anywhere else in the country. And we are now one step closer to making Mission Garden a reality.
Overlooking the city from the top of A Mountain, it's hard to miss the square bricked- in piece of well, nothing. It's not much more than some brown plants and rocks. But soon it will be fruit trees to supply our food bank and farmer's markets, as well as grapes to make wine.
Mission Garden will be a re-creation of the Spanish Colonial walled garden that was part of Tucson's historic San Agustin Mission.
In 2009, the state decided that Rio Nuevo tax dollars couldn't fund the project. So the non-profit group, Friends of Tucson's Birthplace stepped in with more than a $100,000.
"We thought if someone doesn't do something this is never going to happen," said Roger Pfeuffer, board member of Friends of Tucson's Birthplace.
The group raised the money and is in the process of reaching an agreement with the city and county. "This is where Tucson was born. It is the birthplace. And everyone honors their birthplace," said Pfeuffer.
Pfeuffer says fruit trees and grape vines could be planted as early as mid-February.
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