Groups organize work days to beautify, feed the community

Gravette Gardens and the city of Gravette invite volunteers to join forces May 14.

The ground is ready for planting day at the Gravette Community Garden this Saturday, May 14.
The ground is ready for planting day at the Gravette Community Garden this Saturday, May 14.

— Three years ago, a small group of people were sitting around a kitchen table wondering what they could do to help feed a community in need during the recession.

“We came up with the idea of a community garden that supplied fresh produce to the local food bank,” said Marisol Jackson, one of the founding members of Gravette Gardens.

Within 24 hours of the brainstorming session, the group had secured use of a plot of land and fencing.

“We brought together volunteer labor with donated tools and recycled materials that people didn’t use anymore. That allowed us to work with zero dollars in our budget,” Jackson explained.

The seed of the idea literally bore fruit. In the first year, Gravette Gardens fed 1,648 individuals, and the numbers served have increased every year. During the high point of the growing season, tomatoes, peppers and bushels full of a variety of produce are harvested every other day. In addition to supplying the Feed My Sheep food pantry, Gravette Gardens provides produce directly to seniors, individuals in need and organizations serving the community.

The summer garden produces the bulk of the vegetables shared with the community. However, Gravette Gardens now also includes a spring/winter garden sponsored by Gibson Gardens, a flower bed, and an interactive Children’s Garden.

The Children’s Garden has become a destination for many field trip groups.

“We really want to involve the kids,” Jackson said. “We’re planting seeds in the hearts of children, so they know that they can do this.”

Jackson said that some students return to the garden many times during the summer season andare amazed that their little seedlings can produce so much.

“Kids do the math. They learn that one classroom’s plants can provide 450 cucumbers to the community. That amazes the kids.”

Jackson attributes the success of Gravette Gardens largely to the strength of its community supporters who harvest, weed, water and mow the property. Donors and volunteers have included groups from Gravette Holiness Bible School, 4-H clubs, home school students and Girl Scout troops.

Jackson described the thrill of seeing individuals collaborating on the garden, “There’s no greater joy than seeing groups of people coming together in solidarity for the sustainability of the community.”

Currently, Gravette Gardens’ greatest donation needs are a riding lawnmower, hoses and a storage shed.

"And of course, everyone is welcome to volunteer,” Jackson said.

Gravette Gardens’ annual planting day is scheduled for next Saturday, May14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - on May 21 if it rains on the 14th. Volunteers will be planting rows of tomatoes and other plants that have been started from seed by Gravette Upper Elementary students. Drinks and barbecue will be provided for volunteers. Teams of planters from churches, civic organizations, families and businesses are encouraged to contact Marisol Jackson at 899-7290 if interested in participating in the event.

For more information about Gravette Gardens, go to www.gravettegardens. org.

Park work scheduled

Volunteers are also encouraged to join the city of Gravette’s Parks and Recreation Department, Gravette Mayor Byron Warren and players from Gravette High School’s football team for a park beautification project on Saturday, May 14. Volunteers should meet at 8 a.m. at Kindley Park and bring shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows, if available. For more information, call Allyson Ransom at 787-5368.

News, Pages 2 on 05/11/2011