Grow Appalachia began a partnership with Appalachian Child Care Center last year, and just as gardens expand each year, so is this project. Faye Martin and Bontia Adams, center operators are most welcoming and open to the partnership with Grow Appalachia. Appalachian Child Care, located on the outskirts of Whitesburg is home for the day to twenty toddlers and pre school students. Appalachian Child Care is a well respected and quality alternative for working families. We are pleased to be a part of their success.
Last year, was our first effort and students helped in the planting, some tending and harvesting of a large garden (30X50) and it met with success, however the garden was in a somewhat awkward location and at times was overwhelming for these young and tender hands. Although, it was difficult students were still able to participate, share produce and even preserve some for lunch this summer.
One of the Appalachian Child Care center’s youth enjoying his new strawberry!
This year much effort has been given to making the gardens more accessible and personal to the students. Students will share eight raised beds (4X4) and help in the planning, planting, working and harvesting of these fruits and vegetables. With a kind growing season students will be able to share produce with their families at home. Although, this may not feed the family, we hope it encourages families who are growing gardens of their own to foster that desire for healthy eating and gardening and perhaps encourage a family to try their skills at farming as well.
Faye Martin helping students gather and enjoy their fresh strawberries.
We are also happy to provide both hands on help in the gardening and an experienced farmer for the students. You met, Logan and Addison in an earlier blog and they are already pointing out students to me, letting me know it’s their birthday and which ones really like strawberries. I think they all do. Stay tuned for more progress as the Appalachian Child Care Garden Grows!
Love the photos and wouldn’t mind having a strawberry either.
So glad to find your blog/website. I’ve been trying to follow your progress far away from Cowan Creek, all the way to Indianapolis, IN. I grew up in Appalachia, love those beautiful mountains, and am proud of my mountain heritage. It’s good to see young folks beginning to garden and the elders out with them. My life is richer and more fulfilling when I can dig in the dirt and grow something! Keep up your good work.
Thanks for the encouragement Karen. You certainly learned from the best and could write your own book from experience and cover from the garden to the table. All four generations of us took a ride tonight to Kingdom Come State park and Mom was sharing stories of going on picnics there with Helen/Ralph and Hazel/Earl and all the good garden food they would take along. Always happy to see one of your posts, you always bring back special memories and encourage a bright future. Maybe you can make it for a picnic this summer.
We always rode in the back of dad’s old green pick-up truck up in the mountains for those picnics. I thought of the picnics this week when I cooked a of of fresh green peas with new potatoes. Lawd a mercy it was so good if i closed my eyes I could see so many of our loved ones gathered around having a big time.