Community Garden
History
The Gary Hunt Product Program was created as a way of providing a Ministry for youth to learn about and care for plants and provide a way of helping families in our community who experience financial difficulties
In 2017 Jan Mahoney with the support of other church members erected a raised garden and planted flowers and herbs through funds provided by Helen Robles. We decided to plant herbs in the raised bed because we were concerned about the huge population of deer that would pose problems if we decided to grow anything else. Since Monument Crisis Center in Concord accepted canned goods we tried donating our herbs as well and found out that the herbs were well received so we decided to harvest the herbs monthly. After a couple of years the program expanded to other projects where we went into the community to glean trees of church members and even friends of church members as well.
Sometimes it may be appropriate to harvest more frequently depending on the weather but it must be arranged with a driver ahead of time. Kari Doolittle is the driver. Arrangements can be made with Sally Potts and Tania De Young also.
Harvesting
At the present time that we have been gleaning services we were able to harvest 40 1 gallon bags of fennel stems and fronds. No Picker tools were required and 2 individuals were able to get it done after making 3 trips. All produce must be bagged in plastic and refrigerated to maintain freshness so produce can be delivered equitably. This process will take at least 2 individuals. So far only 2 people have been available for harvest and gleaning. Arrangements need to be made in order to do more intense gleaning. It is preferable to have youth help with the gleaning. Produce delivery arrangements need to be made ahead of time to assure freshness at the time of delivery. After August youth will only be available on weekends due to their school schedule.
Nora Hudson has been working on the harvesting and training Colin Horsley on herb garden harvesting the herbs as well as harvesting withing the community and together they harvested 20 gallons of fennel fronds, 5 lbs of plums and 15 bags of St. Timothy herbs. We will need further training in taking care of the St. Timothys garden and what to notice when doing the harvesting. That training will be provided by Pam Cunningham
The feedback we have received was very positive. The recipients at Monument Crisis Center were very happy to receive produce from St. Timothys so we hope we can continue this ministry in the years to come.
The Gary Hunt Product Program was created as a way of providing a Ministry for youth to learn about and care for plants and provide a way of helping families in our community who experience financial difficulties
In 2017 Jan Mahoney with the support of other church members erected a raised garden and planted flowers and herbs through funds provided by Helen Robles. We decided to plant herbs in the raised bed because we were concerned about the huge population of deer that would pose problems if we decided to grow anything else. Since Monument Crisis Center in Concord accepted canned goods we tried donating our herbs as well and found out that the herbs were well received so we decided to harvest the herbs monthly. After a couple of years the program expanded to other projects where we went into the community to glean trees of church members and even friends of church members as well.
Sometimes it may be appropriate to harvest more frequently depending on the weather but it must be arranged with a driver ahead of time. Kari Doolittle is the driver. Arrangements can be made with Sally Potts and Tania De Young also.
Harvesting
At the present time that we have been gleaning services we were able to harvest 40 1 gallon bags of fennel stems and fronds. No Picker tools were required and 2 individuals were able to get it done after making 3 trips. All produce must be bagged in plastic and refrigerated to maintain freshness so produce can be delivered equitably. This process will take at least 2 individuals. So far only 2 people have been available for harvest and gleaning. Arrangements need to be made in order to do more intense gleaning. It is preferable to have youth help with the gleaning. Produce delivery arrangements need to be made ahead of time to assure freshness at the time of delivery. After August youth will only be available on weekends due to their school schedule.
Nora Hudson has been working on the harvesting and training Colin Horsley on herb garden harvesting the herbs as well as harvesting withing the community and together they harvested 20 gallons of fennel fronds, 5 lbs of plums and 15 bags of St. Timothy herbs. We will need further training in taking care of the St. Timothys garden and what to notice when doing the harvesting. That training will be provided by Pam Cunningham
The feedback we have received was very positive. The recipients at Monument Crisis Center were very happy to receive produce from St. Timothys so we hope we can continue this ministry in the years to come.
Supplies
These are some of the supplies that we use in the GHPP.
From top left to right
Garden gloves
Large Yogurt containers for herb harvesting
Sun hat
Large cookie tub for bigger herbs
Scissors to clip the herbs
Garden Clippers for gleaning projects
Paper bags for harvesting to church members
Plastic bags-produce should be divided equally because they are so popular with the MCC clients
Apron or other clothing and garden shoes that protects church clothing and shoes when working in the garden
Labels - Colin has developed labels that can be used to save time when harvesting herbs
Photos of the produce donated
20 gallon bags of fennel stems
These are some of the supplies that we use in the GHPP.
From top left to right
Garden gloves
Large Yogurt containers for herb harvesting
Sun hat
Large cookie tub for bigger herbs
Scissors to clip the herbs
Garden Clippers for gleaning projects
Paper bags for harvesting to church members
Plastic bags-produce should be divided equally because they are so popular with the MCC clients
Apron or other clothing and garden shoes that protects church clothing and shoes when working in the garden
Labels - Colin has developed labels that can be used to save time when harvesting herbs
Photos of the produce donated
20 gallon bags of fennel stems
Fennel Fronds and Stems & Garlic
4 lbs of plums
