In Wilmington, Ohio families are participating in a community garden project that aims to create self-sustainability.
The initiative, known as “Grow Food Grow Hope” (GFGH) began in spring 2009 through a team at Wilmington College. The project currently involves teaching some 20 area families how to grow their own vegetables and herbs.
“Families learn how to garden, but more importantly, they become self-sufficient and have the ability to control one thing in their lives—the ability to grow fresh food,” said Wilmington professor and department chair of Agriculture, Monte Anderson, one of the initiators of the project.
According to Anderson, GFGH was designed as a way to help local struggling families in a time of economic crisis. When Wilmington’s major employer, international shipping giant DHL, decided to relocate and left the community in May 2008, many residents were left jobless.
Anderson and others at the college wanted to help the community and began by putting the college’s land resources to use. Initially, they focused on the production of sweet corn, potatoes, and tomatoes to supplement local food pantries and ease the burden of family food costs.
The initiative, known as “Grow Food Grow Hope” (GFGH) began in spring 2009 through a team at Wilmington College. The project currently involves teaching some 20 area families how to grow their own vegetables and herbs.
“Families learn how to garden, but more importantly, they become self-sufficient and have the ability to control one thing in their lives—the ability to grow fresh food,” said Wilmington professor and department chair of Agriculture, Monte Anderson, one of the initiators of the project.
According to Anderson, GFGH was designed as a way to help local struggling families in a time of economic crisis. When Wilmington’s major employer, international shipping giant DHL, decided to relocate and left the community in May 2008, many residents were left jobless.
Anderson and others at the college wanted to help the community and began by putting the college’s land resources to use. Initially, they focused on the production of sweet corn, potatoes, and tomatoes to supplement local food pantries and ease the burden of family food costs.
