Grand Rapids, MI -- Community garden allows kids to see fruits of labor

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Hi all!!  See what's growing in Grand Rapids!

Happy Gardening,

Lisa Rose Starner, MPA
Mixed Greens: A Children's Vegetable Project
1440 Holborn NW
Grand Rapids MI 49504
616.240.6480

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Community garden allows kids to see fruits of labor

Thursday, July 08, 2004
By Gary W. Morrison
The Grand Rapids Press

Joseph Libbett, 22, has been planting vegetables in the garden next to the
South East Community Association's office on Madison Avenue for over a week,
and he already is thinking about what he will harvest next month.

He has planted tomatoes, cabbages, radishes, peppers and peas, said Libbett
who lives about two blocks from the garden. His mother will appreciate the
fresh vegetables, he said.

"It's the first time I've ever done anything like this," he said. "It's nice
to have something this close to home."

The garden is one of two community gardens that SECA is sponsoring this
year. The other is the Southgate Garden, in a lot at Sheldon Avenue and
Wealthy Street SE.

Neighborhood children and adults work at the gardens twice a week, SECA
Executive Director Sarah Smith said, at 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and 1 to 3 p.m.
Friday. At the Southgate Garden, people work 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 3 to 5
p.m. Sunday.

"The gardens are able to supply food for about six to eight families," Smith
said.

The gardens also provide an opportunity for neighborhood children to make
money, Smith said. They will be allowed to sell their produce at the SECA
sponsored farmer's market at the Sheldon Complex 1 to 6 p.m. Thursdays
through the summer

"This is an opportunity for kids to learn how to tend a garden and earn
money at the same time," Smith said. "This is something they have never done
before."

Elijah Crossbey said the gardens will help keep kids off the street and
steer them away from drugs. It's a small garden, but it will grow, said
Crossbey who volunteers his time to work with the garden program.

"This is a chance for kids to develop good work habits and learn
responsibility," Crossbey said.

"It's like the kids who work here," he said. "We'll watch them and see them
grow."

C 2004 Grand Rapids Press. Used with permission

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