la-vista-weighing-greens.jpgGODFREY - La Vista Community Garden, founded in 2003 by Father Maurice Lange, OMI, is now in its seventh year at the Oblate Novitiate on Levis Lane in Godfrey. Father Maurice's mission was to help raise local awareness of the benefits of an organic, community-supported garden. He also wanted to call people's attention to ecological factors and how everyone and everything affects everything else.Many of its members have been shareholders since the first year. "Oh we wouldn't miss being part of it for anything," said a shareholder as she and her husband stood with their plastic tubs, ready to pick their allotted six quarts of strawberries. "My son and his family have come on board too."

People pay a fixed fee to join the Community Garden. "By putting down their money up front, shareholders are willing to bear financial risk, taking the risk along with the farmer. In return they are getting much fresher, much more nutritious produce," said Father Maurice. "We have 185 families."

A few shares are still available this year, and people can buy half shares. More information is available at www.lavistacsa.org, or by e-mailing .