Hit the Dirt; Grow a Little Extra

Hello and welcome to another edition of as one who likes to garden this time of year is the most exciting for me. The first glorious warm days of spring seem to make the seasons promise come alive feeling the richest of the earth in my hands again and breathing the sweet smell of dormant buds breaking open to fresh green growth brings forth visions of the bountiful harvest to come. It's a time when I really appreciate all that I have including the opportunity to grow my own healthy food. Peace and natural beauty. I realize these are no small treasures and I try to help others to have the chance for them as well. This is a big part of my motivation in hosting the show. But there are other opportunities both for those who want to lend a hand and those who might need some assistance at this time. Today I'm going to talk about two of these which pertain to gardening. One way in which every gardener can lend a hand to help ensure that all our neighbors have enough to eat including healthful fresh produce is to grow a little extra to donate to established organizations that distribute food to the needy. Critical food shortages are continually faced by a diverse population here in Maine. Now we are planning our gardens and deciding just how much of what to grow is the time to consider this tragic fact

and deliberately plant extra crops with the intent of giving the harvest to local food pantries soup kitchens and shelters. No matter what amount of garden space and time you can spare your efforts will make a big difference. If you don't know of a food pantry soup kitchen or shelter near you contact Joanne pike at the Good Shepherd food bank for a complete listing of such organizations in Maine. The phone number is 7 8 2 3 5 5 4 that 7 8 2 3 5 5 4. While in hard times it is vitally important. Provide food assistance to those who circumstance of left hungry. It is also a good idea to heed the old saying that when you give a woman a fish you feed her for a day. But when you teach her how to fish you feed her for life. The same can be said for teaching one to garden. So in the current days of economic downswing and under employment the folks at the main organic farmers and gardeners Association believe that many people having more time and more need may be interested in starting vegetable gardens.

However they may lack access to some of the basic resources such as land seeds tools and information which they need to start growing their own inexpensive and healthful food to respond to the situation. Moscow has established a grow your own program beginning this year a major component of the program is to establish a network which can hook up those in the community who have resources and the willingness to share them with their neighbors in need of gardening assistance. So there is ample opportunity to be a part of it to give a more complete picture of the program and its goals. I will read from an article in the main organic farmer and gardener Moscow's newspaper of March April 1991. Mark establishes grow your own program at their first meeting in late January 12 members of Moscow's newest committee grown your own committee began organizing a community based program to give Mainers the opportunity and resources needed to grow their own food. The program will serve anyone who asks for help. Among the resources that grow your own wants to offer our land person to person gardening help

written in Visual gardening information information on nutrition and food storage as well as seeds and seedlings for those who may not be able to afford them. Other resources that may be available include rototiller and garden labor for the disabled or elderly soil amendments and hand tools to make the project a reality at the local level across the state. The Grow your own Committee has set up subcommittees to one put together and distribute a package for local organizers on how to start and maintain community gardens and local gardening spaces. Two to recruit gardeners willing to share their skills and knowledge as a volunteer consultants three to establish a switchboard of local groups and individuals who connect people calling for help with local volunteer consultants and other resources for to compile a bibliography of basic gardening information and print and distribute information and pack sheets as needed five to compile a bibliography on the nutrition of garden crops and on food storage with printing and distribution is needed six to seek local and statewide donation of seeds seedlings tools and soil amendments to

be distributed through the switchboard. And finally to seek funding for all of the above. The committee invites you to join in grow your own. And that last line is the key to the success of this program. I urge anyone who is interested in the grow your own program to send your name address and phone number to MoCCA and have a P.O. box to 176. Augusta Maine 0 4 3 3 8. Mention whether you have any resources to offer such as garden space time to help coordinate the program in your area. Willingness to be a volunteer consultant extra seed extra ceilings or spare tools and or whether you need any gardening assistance to help you grow your own. The address again is my AFCA P O Box 2 1 7 6. Augusta Maine 0 4 3 3 8. So if as you prepare the fertile earth for the seasons plantings you feel a bit grateful for life's most basic blessings such as good fresh food and have a desire to see that no one is denied the opportunity to enjoy them as well. I hope you get inspired to act upon that desire and let

us grow a bit of community in our gardens this year. This is Keith Goldfarb. See you next week on hit the dirt. Yeah. Bye for now.