Hello from Scott County! Katie Smith reporting the far reaching effects Grow Appalachia community gardens have in Scott County.
The garden at Scott Christian Care Center has been very productive this year. Lavender and lemon balm was harvested and used to make hand scrubs. These scrubs are made in the “Nicely” kitchen and sold to support all ministries at the Center. There were many vegetables harvested with more still to come. 1 peck of green beans, 1 peck of lettuce, 2 pecks of cucumbers, ½ peck of tomatoes, and a couple of different varieties of peppers. Envisioned and carried out by our GA participant and Center volunteer Elbie Blount, many hands have helped form the garden area behind the Center, such as a youth ministry group, various volunteers and Center employees. Even our kids were involved. The produce from this garden has gone directly back to the community through the food pantry at the Center. People in need visit the Center each Tuesday to pick up produce from the garden and other household goods.

imagejpeg_0 (1)

It was my pleasure to visit the large garden at the Scott County Justice Center again last week. Much of the produce has been picked and eaten already. During the month of July, the inmates harvested 33 pecks of corn (in one day), and a plethora of beans, peppers and lettuce. There is a promise of many potatoes as well. The harvest goes directly into the community as well, feeding not only the prisoners, but also local retirement and nursing homes, food pantries and pretty much anyone who might stop by to say hello. I was the happy recipient of a bag of Roma tomatoes, which quickly became a first time experiment in my new pressure canner (courtesy of GA) this week.

20150804_102939