Volunteers sought to help community garden grow

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A long, wet winter, an already wet spring and difficulties finding a location have delayed things, but finally, Earl Ackley of Care Connection has managed to get everything in place and broken a plot of ground to be used for a Victory Garden.

Victory gardens were common across the country during World War I and World War II and were utilized as a means for citizens supplement the nation's food supply and to help with the war effort. The gardens were planted at the urging of the government and an emphasis was placed on making the gardens a family or community effort.

That is exactly what Ackley has in mind for this victory garden. "Its a really interesting way of bringing the community together," Ackley said. Several individuals and organizations have already become involved in the project.

Finding a parcel of land was a bit more of a challenge than it first seemed. It has taken some time "just trying to get all of the pieces together," said Ackley. Dick Meyers offered to let the garden be planted on a piece of property he owns just south of Evergreen Memorial Chapel and straight west of Davis Park across Centennial Boulevard. That is the location Ackley decided to use.

On Monday, March 29, Bud Meyers volunteered his time and Bobcat to scrape all of the sod off the site and prepare it for plowing. Trey Todd has offered his time and machinery to come in and plow and disc the property. "It won't take him long to come in and disc it up," said Meyer.

Once the land is worked, it will be panted with a variety of nutritious foods. A Nevada Regional Technical Center class is going to provide some plants for the garden, but seed and other plants are still needed. Midwest Feed and Farm is going to donate the fertilizer for the project and the university extension office is going to provide technical support.

The modern victory garden will contain the same things as the gardens of the last century. Broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, onions, spinach, peppers, squash, tomatoes and other healthful vegetables will be in the ground soon.

The produce from the garden will be used to increase the number of fresh vegetables in the meals offered at the Senior Center. It is an efficient way to control costs, improve the quality of the meals and offer the community a way to help the center, Ackley noted.

Care Connection has already started victory gardens in 13 other counties. "They are very successful," said Ackley. Produce that isn't utilized at the Senior Center may end up being sold in the farmer's market held on the Square. Any money derived from such sakes would be deposited in the Senior Center's bank account, according to Ackley.

Although there is already quite a lot of community involvement, more help will be needed as the project and garden grow. Seeds and plants are still needed and it is going to take a lot of time and work to keep the weeds out of a garden that measures 100 feet long by 50 feet wide. That means several people will need to be available to hoe and till the garden. Others will be needed for picking and washing the produce once the crop matures.

Ackley urges any and all civic groups or individuals to get involved and make the victory garden a success. Those wishing to donate or interested in participating in any aspect of the garden may contact: Earl Ackley at (417) 876-7578.


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