We are so excited and proud to be a part of the Grow Appalachia Project and are confident of a successful growing season. We are approaching 30 gardeners that have signed up, brought in soil samples and are on-board with the mission of Grow Appalachia. We had our first meeting on Saint Patrick’s Day-Go Green and gardeners enjoyed a pancake breakfast, garden prizes that allowed a few of our participants to take home a sampling of the tools recommended for managing a garden effectively. Folks are showing up every other Saturday morning for information or plants and seeds. Community members are attending who say they have NEVER attended an event at the Cowan Community Center and we are pleased to be making this connection.
The backgrounds of the participants are as diverse as their gardens are, participants range from first time gardening single Moms to experienced gardeners seeking out new techniques. We have a 15 year old lifetime farmer who has a 40X60 garden that he is raising for produce to sell at the “in works” farmers market. Our local jail has contracted for 3 acres of land and will be growing food for their own meals as well as donating to the senior citizens center. A local ministry, Revelation Ranch Equine Ministries which works with over fifty families will be undertaking a 60x60 garden and are excited for this new project for both the food and the activity for their participants. Local pre-school students have planted their very own strawberry patch and will be adding vegetables soon.
Our participants got information from an experienced gardener and biologist, James Stapelton, on the benefits of raised beds gardening. He converted a few who will be trying raised bed gardening for the first time in decades of gardening.
Many questions and much to do….but the seeds have been planted. Thank you Grow Appalachia!
sounds wonderful. Keep up the good work. KC
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