Community gardens have been proven to have a positive impact on the people they serve. They reduce family food budgets and serve those in need, but they also offer recreation and foster self-reliance in those who tend them. Children who are a part of the Helping Hands Junior Garden Club, in the Fabius community, are seeing those positive results in their own community garden.

After the April 27 tornadoes last year the Helping Hands Junior Garden Club wanted to make a community garden to help people.  With the assistance of the Ider Garden Club and the Kash Ruritans they did just that. Their garden, which contains tasty treats such as beans, herbs, strawberries, onions, corn, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, peas and much more, serves anyone who wants to pick a meal of fresh fruit and vegetables. The young gardeners also donate food to senior citizens who aren’t able to grow their own food and to their local food bank.

The junior gardeners, who range from ages 4 to 13, first had to prepare their land for the garden. Then they sowed seeds and plants. Now, each week they tend the garden, weeding it often and harvesting produce that is ready to eat.  “For our Juniors, it’s an opportunity to learn to be stewards of the land,” said Brent Wheeler, the club’s sponsor.  Though they work most of the garden, it also has space for community members who may not have their own garden plot at home.

“The project will continue as long as there is a need in our community,” said Wheeler. 

The Helping Hands Junior Garden Club also recycles, does roadside litter pickup and they are helping to re-establish bluebirds in their community by making bluebird houses.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed