Published April 17, 2023
Frankfort Volunteers Build DIY Share Shed
It was constructed on the fly using lumber milled by the builders
By Mattie John Bamman
Frankfort established its first Give & Take site in 2022, providing a place where gardeners can give surplus produce and anyone lacking access to fresh foods can take it at no cost. A team of volunteers stepped up to manage the site throughout the growing season, and they even went so far as to build a “share shed” on the fly to inspire more people to utilize the program.
“We built the shed to help protect the food from the weather,” said Debbie Bishop, Frankfort Give & Take volunteer. “But mostly, we wanted to provide an inviting spot that people felt comfortable checking out.”
Waldo County Bounty is encouraging others to build share sheds for the community by joining the Share Shed Design-Build Challenge in 2023.
Debbie and her husband designed the shed using images of other share sheds, and they milled the lumber from trees that had fallen on their property during a storm. To keep costs low, they repurposed metal roofing from a prior project, among other building supplies that were on-hand. The build took about a day.
“This was a community project that developed so many great relationships,” says Debbie, “and we feel honored to have a small part in it.”
Debbie, a fourth-generation gardener, recounted a childhood experience of family bringing extra butternut squashes to church and one recipient breaking down in tears. The woman hadn’t seen a butternut squash in years. It was her favorite vegetable but her husband didn’t like it and their budget only allowed for items they both enjoyed. Debbie says the experience impressed upon her that sharing “extra” vegetables can bring both sustenance and joy.
“The Give & Take sites give that joy to anyone who stops by,” says Debbie. Debbie is joined by fellow Frankfort Give & Take Share Shed volunteers Michele Christle, Alisha Goslin, and Sierra Pulis.
Waldo County Bounty currently operates 15 Give & Take sites across the county thanks to our awesome volunteers. This spring, we’re encouraging builders and anyone who loves carpentry to join our Share Shed Design-Build Challenge so we can provide more share sheds, where neighbors can exchange homegrown produce in an anonymous setting for free. We hope to add 7-9 share sheds to the program by July 2023.
Resident Debbie Bishop set out to build the shed at the beginning of the 2022 season.
Frankfort Give & Take program volunteers Debbie Bishop, Michele Christle, Alisha Goslin, and Sierra Pulis.