Growing your own food is undeniably the best way to get fresh, nutritious food economically, ethically and eco-friendly. But although we would all love to be able to pick vegetables straight from our garden for dinner every evening, for many it is just not possible. To be successful in growing your own food, you need enough land and nutrient-rich soil to grow that food. You have to be able bodied, have time to devote tending the garden and a budget to acquire seeds and supplies for starting a garden.
With this in mind, local physicians Dr. Maria Scunziano-Singh and her husband Dr. Pariksith Singh purchased 6.5 acres at the junction of U.S. 41 and Powell Road in Brooksville about 6 years ago.
Their project is called the Auro Community Garden, sponsored by the Auroveda Operating Foundation LLC. 
“We wanted to create a sustainable garden using natural growing methods and free of harmful insecticides and other chemicals,” said Dr. Maria.
“Our mission is to grow produce using organic growing methods — produce that is healthful and provides good nutrition …and we wanted to be able to teach others to do the same,” she said.
The Auro Community Garden is unlike a traditional community garden that rents plots to its members. This garden is the collective effort of its members who actively participate and learn methods of sustainable gardening.
Auro supplies the land, seed, compost and other materials used to help plants flourish and members are required to work hands-on in the garden for a minimum of 8 hours per month. Each member gets an equal share of the harvest.
Membership to the garden is open to everyone and costs $240 per year or paid in equal monthly payments. Presently, the garden has about 65 members.
Throughout the year, Auro holds regular seminars and workshops at the garden to bring together keen gardeners and educate members and the public about sound gardening practices, nutrition and caring for the environment. Speakers include Dr. Maria Scunziano-Singh on the nutritional value of plants.
“I think we should all have an understanding of the origins of the food we eat and the impact on our bodies,” she said. “We hardly know anything about the produce we buy in stores and we certainly do not know how it was grown or how far it has traveled to get to our shopping baskets,” she said.
Scunziano-Singh hopes that by holding these regular educational talks and workshops, Auro can address topics like avoiding waste, preserving foods, identifying the “good and bad” insects in your garden and especially encouraging gardeners to grow in each and every backyard.
“Fruits and vegetables are easily grown in Florida but planning and preparation is essential — as are environmentally sound gardening practices,” said Dwayne Ross, a manager at the Auro Community Garden Project.
Rainwater capture, proper disposal of water, composting, and organic and natural gardening techniques is absolutely vital to the success of of any community garden stated Ross.
“Auro does not use genetically engineered seeds or plants and we make sure everything is grown naturally in the most nutrient-rich soil we can provide,” said Dwayne Ross, a manager at the Auro Community Garden Project. One of the ways we ensure that is to manufacture our own compost,” he said.
Ross said he tends his compost heap daily to check on its decomposition.
“Compost is a key ingredient for successful natural farming,” said Ross. It adds nutrients to the soil and benefits the land in many ways,” he said. Many of the local tree trimming companies bring their wood chips here so we can add them to our heap,” he said. 
Marker48, a full production craft brewery in Hernando County, also helps keep that compost heap viable.
Christina and Maurice Ryman, co-owners of the business, donate each week several 55-gallon drums of by-products generated from the brewing process that uses malt (barely sprouted grains), yeast and hops.
“That spent grain still has enough sugars and nutrients in it to help the decomposition process,” Maurice Ryman said. “I’m delighted that our by-products are helping grow all-natural produce at Auro,” he said.
Sandra Martinez, 52, from Spring Hill said she saw the Auro sign driving along US41 one day so she pulled in to check it out. She joined up instantly.
“I’ve always been interested in gardening, community gardens and producing my own fresh produce so when Dwayne told me what was involved and that was it,” she said.
“The first time I went home with lettuce and cabbage. I’ve only been a member since last week and I’m very excited about the project,” she said.
Beverly Hunter, 54, of Brooksville has been a member for 4 months now.
“I’m doing weeding just now and I like it because the garden uses all organic growing methods. I work full time and I still manage to get my 8 hours a month in. Doing weeding is therapy for me,” she said. 
Vegetable gardening is also a form of good exercise and can help reduce stress when it comes to household food expenses,” said Hunter. From planting to harvesting, there is always something to do at the garden.” she said.
“We also enjoy socializing among the members,” Ross said. It’s a good way to learn what other methods they may be using and if it can be implemented here at Auro,” Ross said.
Although Auro’s yield is equally shared with its members, left overs are donated to the county’s local food pantries that includes Behind the Stone Ministries and more.
“We are delighted to have celebrated many successful years of producing pounds of delicious naturally grown fruits and vegetables here in the county and especially because we can give back to the community,” said Ross.
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IF YOU GO
Auro Community Garden is located at: 4095 Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34604
Membership is $240.00 p.a. per person, family or household – pay in full or $20.00 monthly x12.
Auro supplies the land, seed, compost and materials used to help the garden grow. Monthly minimum work time of 8 hours. All members share in the yield of the garden.
Call 352-238-9091 for more information.
Visit: http://www.aurocommunitygarden.com.
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Sue Quigley can be reached at saffronbleu@hotmail.com or by phone at 727-808-9587. Contact her if you would like your business featured in The Hernando Sun.