At what is becoming an annual event, Franklin County Master Gardeners hosted a South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP)/Gleaning Project event where 30 volunteers planted 150 4-gallon buckets with a vegetable and an herb to be distributed to families through the SCCAP regular produce distributing community partners - improving fresh food access and grow-your-own-know-how.
“We are very pleased to be able to host and contribute to this important community outreach project,” said Donna Scherer, Franklin County Master Gardener Coordinator. Ten Master Gardeners, Cathy Campbell, Bill Dorman, Colleen Johnson, Diane Keeney, Don Knode, Ray Larson, Billy Morningstar, Donna Scherer, Ron Schlecht and Walter Springer, gathered at their greenhouse and helped 20 other volunteers plant the container gardens. Donations from the community included compost from Harry Rotz Jr., Chambersburg, potting mix donation from Jan & Jerry Althoff, Countryside Gardens, Gettysburg, buckets from Cathy Jo Byers Wallick, Shippensburg, and plants from the Master Gardener program in Chambersburg. According to Don Knode, Master Gardener Container Gardening Co-Chair, “The Franklin County Master Gardener Program recently began a partnership with the local SCCAP to aid their goal of removing one family at a time out of poverty through education of gardening techniques. SCCAP members have shown a great deal of enthusiasm, and it has been encouraging to teach these techniques and see the positive results of our commitment to this common goal. The results of our participation with SCCAP have allowed families to eat from fresh vegetables and herbs that they did not have to purchase.” An important aspect of this community outreach program is to provide ongoing support throughout the growing season. The buckets were labeled with contact info for Franklin County Master Gardeners, including a link to the “Community Container Gardens” Facebook group page that links gardeners to Master Gardeners who can help with problems they may encounter. Labels also included a phone number and email for the “Ask a Master Gardener” program in Franklin County. Additionally, the Healthy Franklin County program’s Nutrition Task Force Community Garden Committee is trying to gauge interest in community gardens from area residents. Community gardens can be used for education, recreation, mental and physical rehabilitation and can provide access to healthy foods. Community gardens can also provide opportunities for neighborhood improvement. "We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy fresh, nutritious food. And learning something new like gardening takes lots of practice and support. Which is why we're all here working together today. Plus, it's tons of fun!" said Jay Eury, Director of The Gleaning Project of South Central PA, a SCCAP Community Solution. Get more information about these organizations on the Internet. The Gleaning Project - http://www.thegleaningproject.org South Central Community Action Programs - http://www.sccap.org Healthy Franklin County - http://www.healthyfranklincounty.org Comments are closed.
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AuthorCarol Rhoades Kagan, Chambersburg, PA CategoriesArchives
November 2020
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2023 Franklin County Master Garden Plant Sale | our blog & notes |