People’s Garden says thanks

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In this season of giving thanks, the People’s Garden coordinators would like to express our sincerest gratitude for all the help that we received this season.

The People’s Garden is a community garden on the site of Agape Distribution in Sidney.

As a result of the assistance of so many dedicated supporters, we were able to harvest 573 pounds of produce, which went directly to Agape pantry shoppers. This was our largest harvest to date! From fresh peas and herbs in the spring to a veritable bounty of tomatoes, peppers and okra this summer and fall, every pound of produce supplied many Shelby County families with fresh, nutritious food options.

As the garden grows a bit larger each year, so does the number of generous volunteers and donors. This year, we are especially thankful for the Fairlawn FFA for starting seedlings for us. Their hot pepper plants were particularly productive and much in demand by Agape shoppers. Shelby County Landscaping also provided a number of plants that were put to good use. In addition to botanical donations, we received a number of very generous material donations. Some of the most generous and well-used additions this year were three, sturdy, wood benches provided by Sidney Post 217 Legion Baseball and a new wheelbarrow and composter donated by Connection Point Church. Now we can work more efficiently and rest more comfortably when we are done!

And, while plants and material donations are always appreciated, we save our biggest thanks for people — all those volunteers who participated in cold, rainy work days and toiled in hot, humid weather to make the People’s Garden the best it could be. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Finally, because this season of thanks leads right into the season of giving, we will end this article with a wish list for the coming season, which will be here before we know it! At the top of our list is soil; we would love a donation of soil to help refill our raised beds. Additionally, we are looking for volunteers who would be able to help erect a new shed to store our tools (our current one is in quite a dilapidated state) and to reinforce some of our older raised beds that are beginning to rot after years of use. If you could help us in this capacity or would just like to come and play in the dirt with us, please call 937-726-9525. Any and all people looking to learn new gardening skills and help alleviate hunger here in Shelby County are encouraged to find their way to The People’s Garden.

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By Conelia Dixon

Contributing columnist

The writer is a Master Gardener and a coordinator of the People’s Garden.

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