While the season has not been the best one we have ever had, it also hasn’t been the worst. It
was a toss-up season, the kind you don’t bet on either way. But all in all, we have had a pretty
decent season for those who wanted a good garden and were willing to put in the work to get a
good harvest.


The harvest that was brought in to preserve was good enough, and the gardeners were
preserving from morning until evening and were very glad to do so. It is not because they have to
do this, it’s because they love to do this. The gardeners love being able to provide for their families. There’s something so
satisfying about looking at shelves full of canned goods and freezers that are full of all
sorts of good things put up to use during the cold months.
We had plenty of beans this year, cabbage, corn, and more. They
shared with food banks, churches, and individuals. Most of our gardeners are older or middle-
aged, and I know where they learned to garden. The young people who really did well were very
pleased with their gardens, and learning to preserve food for their families.
Though this garden year has been a challenge with drought and hot weather, our gardeners
have done well, and are already planning and preparing for next year what they would like to
grow that they didn’t grow this year, or that maybe they did grow and did really well for them.
And they are definitely going to be giving thanks as the holidays approach, and green beans,
squash, pumpkin, onions, etc grace their holiday dinner tables.