It has been so wonderful to share words and wisdom from our gardeners throughout the season on the blog! As our time together comes to a close, I am overcome with gratitude for all that we have learned and accomplished together. To finish out the Grow OV blog contributions of the 2024 season, I would like to share a few thanks and reflections of my own.

Getting the garden site ready at the beginning of the season

Getting the demonstration plot ready in the spring…

– First, for our garden: managing the demonstration plot was a source of great pride and pleasure for me this season. Despite working on a couple of farms, I hadn’t ever grown on my own. My family didn’t have even an herb or flower box when I was a kid, let alone a plot for vegetables. And so, when coming into this position, managing our demonstration plot was something that made me super nervous. But with a gentle nudge from Hannah, I was on my way. Throughout the summer, I spent at least an hour or two every day watering, weeding, and harvesting. I got to spend hours on end sitting with the beauty of the space, noticing insects both beneficial and predatory, and observing even the tiniest changes in the plants. The time spent in the garden was so joyful, and brought me such pride! I had a lot to learn alongside our BYG families, and the demonstration plot provided me the space to do so. Now, it’s a friendly reminder that even if I don’t find myself working on a farm in the near future, growing can always be a part of my life.

– Next for Grow Appalachia: soon after I began farming, I became absolutely entranced by both the everyday minutia of growing as well as the symbolism behind it. Gardening gives us the power to feed others, the ability to care for our land, and a sense of hope, in a world where these things often feel out of reach. Grow Appalachia helps many to overcome both the mental and physical hurdles of getting started with gardening, allowing anyone to access these feelings of community and hope.

I’ve found myself often reflecting that something like the BYG program is what my family would’ve needed to start growing. It’s pointless to try to imagine how our household would have been different had we had a garden, but it certainly would have been a tool through challenging times. Thinking of my own experience has made it all the more gratifying to see children and parents alike participate in our programming.

– Finally, for our gardeners: when I moved here in early April, my concerns about finding community were quickly dispelled. On first meeting, you all welcomed me with warmth and joy, and have reminded me again and again why Wheeling is called the Friendly City. Some of my favorite moments of my time here are of laughing and learning alongside you all. Thank you for growing with me this season, I know the memories and lessons learned will be with me wherever I land next.

– Cara D., Grow OV AmeriCorps 2024

A beautiful harvest (top), and Hannah and me at the BYG potluck (bottom)