The community garden space at Big Sandy community college in Prestonburg, Kentucky, doubled in size on Friday, with the help of Growing Warriors and many other gracious hands that were willing to do a little work. Nine new raised beds were assembled, installed, and planted within only a few hours! Hard, sweaty work, but all done in good company.
A before shot of the garden, which only had a few raised beds.
Thanks to Sister KC, a few young men from David, Kentucky, who came to the mission looking for work, ventured over to lend a helping hand. These boys were eager to work and were a huge help in everything! Several others came out to help as well, including Todd Howard, a few dedicated veterans, a KFTC employee, and two college students from nearby Pikeville who were just eager to get their hands in the dirt somehow. After the beds were completed, two members of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture as well as a few people from the college came down to celebrate and admire the new beds.
Here’s a few shots of the beds in progress:
Mark Walden tilling the new space in preparation for the installation of the beds.
Two boys from the David school sawing away at an 8 foot board to form the short ends of the beds.
Drilling the sides together!
Laying and filling the beds.
Look! Mike Lewis – doing work!
The first plantings!
Purple basil, spearmint, cucumbers, peppers, and some companion flowers were planted in the beds, sure to be flourishing in no time. The beds already at the college are overflowing with food – cabbage, broccoli, peas, marigolds…
A bed of cabbages.
Delicious peas.
After the beds were planted, Mike Lewis and Sister KC gave dedication speeches, addressing the importance of community gardens and the significance of what was accomplished that day. Sister KC said it best: “We can grow well right where we are planted.”
The whole gang!
Thanks to everyone that came out, and thanks to Todd and sister KC for making this expansion possible! Take a look at the difference…
After!
Thanks for the great post Lindsey. You forgot to mention all the hard work you did. One correction-the four teenagers, Sam, Devon, Zack and Steven are all residents of the David Community and came to the Mission looking for summer jobs. Another thing growing in Floyd County–motivated teens.
So exciting!