The community garden in Whitley County is taking off…finally!  We got plants in the ground a mere month ago, but, with all the rain, they have tripled in size and already started producing. We were also very proud to host a site visit with Steph of Grow Appalachia to show our progress and brainstorm through any other needs that we have. Now our wheels are turning about a possible high tunnel installation to extend our season.

This month also saw the start of the Little Sprouts learning group, an extension of the Strong Roots community gardening program.  Little Sprouts focuses on school readiness skills that can be strengthened through gardening. Our attendees also participated in the first harvest of the season, picking 5 lbs of cucumbers and 4 lbs of peppers.  Tomatoes soon to come…

June and July has been all about sweat, blood and tears to make this garden come to fruition.  Tammy and our partners have plowed, tilled, planted, fertilized, mulched, installed and so much more.  Together, we have been able to pull together over $10,000 worth of donations including running water lines, compost, bushhogging and more.

Our next steps are to continue our workshops and retain participation.  We have been roadblocked by intense weather, but we are making a comeback!