On a mission to educate, inspire, and inform today's urban farmers, EAT South is creating two reference libraries, one at Hampstead farm in east Montgomery and at its downtown farm location, by the red caboose. We are looking for book donations to fill its shelves -- new or used books in good condition okay -- on topics as diverse as kitchen gardening, food nutrition, composting, seed saving, permaculture, sustainable living, and urban agriculture. The libraries will be free and open to the public and, of course, available for use by those working at the farms. 

Liz Ellerson, Community Outreach Coordinator, says she hopes "the libraries will encourage Montgomerians to visit the gardens and to invest in the healthy lifestyle they represent." Jesse Teel, EAT South Capacity Building Coordinator, notes that the building of the library spaces will commence in February with the help of students, volunteers, and book donors. He adds, "We hope people from all walks of life will find in these libraries encouragement and the know-how to design, work and happily commune with their gardens and nature for years to come." 

The NewSouth Bookstore in downtown Montgomery will be a drop-off point for book donations to EAT South -- look for the wheelbarrow near the store entrance at 105 S. Court Street on the corner of Washington. The bookstore is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, or call for weekend drop-offs. Books may also be left at the EAT South farms.

An EAT South book "wish list" is available upon request.

For more information, contact Liz Ellerson at lizellerson@gmail.com or Jesse Teel at j3ss3semail@gmail.com. Reach NewSouth Books at 334-834-3556 or by email at info@newsouthbooks.com.