GRAVETTE -- The Gravette Community Gardens have been a real success story this summer. Plantings in the garden have thrived and provided a bountiful harvest for individual gardeners and for sharing with several local charities, with an estimated 400-500 pounds of produce given to Share the Harvest food pantry, Care and Share and the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center.
The garden was started several years ago by Marisol Jackson and, when she moved out of state, several others took over and kept the garden going. Allyson Ransom, comanager of the Gravette Farmers' Market, has been active in the project from the start and continues to work in the garden -- planting, cultivating and harvesting -- and in promotion of the benefits of gardening. She is often assisted by her son, Max.
An attractive sign welcomes visitors. Ransom planted the raised-bed area at its base with both flowers and vegetables.
"We even harvested cucumbers out of that bed for the food pantry," she said. "I like to show people how you can mix it all up, herbs, flowers and edibles. We have provided food for a lot of people at the senior center and the food pantry. One day Max and I picked 40 pounds of cucumbers."
Susan McPherson, branch manager at Arvest Bank, just across the highway from the garden, has also played a key role in carrying on the legacy of the garden. She can look out the window of her office in the bank and admire the results of her efforts. She spends much time planting, pulling weeds and harvesting vegetables. And her son Anthony, 15, does the mowing at the gardens.
Both Ransom and McPherson are modest and slow to take credit for the many hours they spend on the project. They provided a long list of people they wanted to thank for assistance with the garden. At the top of the list was John Mitchael, who owns the land on which the garden is planted, and his son Steve Mitchael. Then there is retired police officer Lonnie Ash, who has done tilling and mowing; master gardeners David Rowe and Linda Oliphant, who have shared their expertise; and Ronnie Jarvis, who erected the welcome sign. Other volunteers have included Paul and Sheila Martin of Matthew's Feast, Miriam Rowe, Jay and Craig Oliphant and people from Share the Harvest ministry.
Anyone wishing to plant a space in the garden is provided a plot. They may choose either a 12-by-12-foot or a 12-by-24-foot size. Gardeners are asked to share a portion -- usually 10 percent -- of their harvest. Donated seeds are provided, as well as water and some tools for cultivating the plot. McPherson says it's an ideal situation for those who don't have a garden spot at home, and it provides a good way to get some exercise and fresh air.
She points out that you don't have to have a large plot because many vegetables can be grown in smaller container gardens.
McPherson is also a strong advocate for getting youngsters involved with the garden. She likes to bring groups of children to the site to learn about where we get our food, participate in the planting and watch the resulting growth. It benefits the youth and also teaches them early in life about the value of community service.
The local Girl Scout troop helped with planting and has its own plot in the garden. Upper elementary students planted seeds and pulled weeds. The K Kids and sponsor Jake Haak of the Kiwanis Club made bird feeders, planted seeds and weeded. Gravette Gleamers 4-H Club members also helped with the initial planting.
Volunteers of any age are always welcome. McPherson invites anyone who is interested to come work in the garden, donate unwanted tools, extra seeds or a monetary donation for supplies needed in the garden. Anyone with questions may call her at 479-531-4133 or learn more about the garden at www.gravettegardens.weebly.com.
Ransom reported that the garden will be represented with a booth at the Hiwasse Fall Festival on Sept. 20. Seeds have been harvested and will be packaged and sold at that booth as a fundraiser for the project.
Community on 08/27/2014