The end of 2013 is bittersweet. My time at Pine Mountain and with the Grow Appalachia family is coming to an end. I’ve spend the last four growing seasons with Grow Appalachia- cursing the weather, tilling gardens, sweating alongside participating families, cooking, doing paperwork, and making friends. I’m sad to leave such a wonderful organization, but I will be watching and supporting the amazing work all of the sites do. I am excited to call my self a beginning farmer next year, but right now I am tying up lose ends before my move and reflecting on the wonderful experiences I’ve had with Grow Appalachia. Thank you all!
I thought I’d share my favorite photos for participants from the last four growing seasons.
A three generation family growing their first garden! 2010. The Osbornes have become one of the most loyal and dedicated families to Grow Appalachia.
2010. Teenage boys working in the garden together!
2011. Tilling under cover crops in bloom.
2011. Hilling potatoes.
2011. Harvesting turnips during one of Kathleen’s first days working with Grow Appalachia.
2012. A beautiful garden in a spot that hadn’t been tended in 40 years!
2012. Chickens living happily in Grow Appalachia built chicken tractors.
2011. An 80 year old woman tending a garden in shadow of a coal tipple.
2012. Summer assistant, Andrew, hoeing corn in his family’s garden.
2012. Happy gardeners with huge vegetables.
2012. Meeting John Paul DeJoria!
2013. Our first functioning low tunnels. Multiple families had fresh greens for Thanksgiving meals.
2013. This girl asked for chickens for her birthday.
2013. GA participants proudly teaching the food preservation workshop.
2013. Sonny’s Honey.
2013. Gardens in the mountains are so pretty.
Maggie, my friend, your passion for growing healthy food has been sown in the hills and hollers around Pine Mountain and will continue to grow there because like all good farmer’s, you have tended to the soil. And the good news is that Clay County isn’t that far away.
Maggie, I cannot begin to tell you what you have done for Grow Appalachia. You have been one of the strongest coordinators in our entire program. So many folks speak highly of you, and not just Grow Appalachia family members, but Kentuckians who have worked along side you. The best of luck to you as you pursue your work with farming!