Tears flow. I worked 11 years to transform a 'dead zone' (former owner just poured on the synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides). I garden organically, adding cover crops in Fall (field beans, winter grains, daikon radishes. Sickled in Spring and turned under).
Community gardens are all booked in St Anthony Village. <Sighs>.
Plan. Each year 5 of us compete for our "Golden Trowel." (Past efforts have been tomatoes, sugar beets, yellow cakes, green peppers, etc).
One bud is on the faculty at the Ag School at the University. He is giving me some space on the grounds at the U (shhhhh!). This years competition is pumpkins (1st phase/without prize). Prize goes to the guy who makes the best pumpkin pie in the Fall, as judged by our spouses.
Fun and a ton of smack talk all year and bragging rights to the gent who delivers that prize winning pie. Wish me luck.