The Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $7,500 for the establishment of a sustainable garden at Town Woods Park. If met by the end of May, the goal will allow the group to receive a matching grant from Sustainable CT.

Immediate needs for the garden include an eight-foot fence to protect future plants from deer and rodents, which the group hopes to install in June. Other needs include tools and other equipment needed to prepare and develop the garden beds for planting in 2022, enabling the garden to begin supplying area food pantries with fresh vegetables that summer.

“I am very excited, as a successful campaign will put us months ahead of our original projections and allow us to install a fence and prepare all garden beds this summer,” organizer Jim Ward said in a release. “This will allow us to begin planting and growing fresh healthy produce in the entire garden next spring.”

The second phase of the garden will focus on the installation of an irrigation system and tool shed; the group is currently working on seeking additional grants and funding for the second phase. Future plans for the garden include the creation of educational programs for the community around subjects including sustainable gardening, composting and rain barrel usage.

To donate to the Lyme-Old Lyme Food Share Garden, visit patronicity.com/lolfsg.