FARMINGTON — It all started with an idea presented to the Franklin County Extension executive board for a community project to help some senior, physically disabled or low/fixed income people of Franklin County to garden in their own home, apartment or nursing home facility.

Susan Gill, Franklin County Cooperative Extension executive board regional representative and vice president of the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers, presented a possible pilot program called the Garden Angel Project to the Franklin County executive board and Extension Homemakers advisory board. The goal of the program is to match volunteers with people who love to garden but who need help to plant and care for a container vegetable or flower garden box.

The recipient and volunteer “angel” would come up with a mutually agreed upon design for which plants would be arranged in the boxes and how they would be cared for throughout the growing and harvesting season. The “angel” would conduct regular visits or be available for calls about the proper care of the garden boxes, thus providing social interaction as well as gardening skills.

The Extension would provide gardening information and act as a resource for any questions that might arise about gardening practices. The idea was accepted and the process begun.

Under the direction of volunteer coordinator, Susan Gill, a committee was formed with Linda Myhaver of the Extension Homemakers Neighborhood Group; Linda Brown from the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers and advisory board representative; Amy Palmer, advisory board representative from the Clearwater Extension Homemakers; and Linda Gramlich, secretary for the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers and advisory board representative. In addition, assistance and guidance were provided from Cooperative Extension professionals Dave Fuller, Judy Smith, Jennifer Lobley, Marc Edwards and Lauren St. Germain. Carol Ross, secretary at the Franklin County Extension Office, also collected and distributed information about the project.

The committee worked on a brochure and application to be typed and distributed for potential recipients to complete and return to the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office. They also secured background check forms for volunteers to fill out, for which the executive board paid the fees.

Volunteer Linda Myhaver started seedlings back in February with some personal and donated seeds so plants would be ready to be distributed in June. When planting time started, she had more than 140 plants to offer to recipients.

Materials for the construction of the boxes came from Steve “Al” Feather of Hammond Lumber donating pressure treated wood and Alfred Destefano from Valley Brook Sawmill seriously discounting the rough cut hemlock. Judy Vining from E. L. Vining and Sons Inc. donated the loam and Tony and Kathy Ramsey of Living Acres donated the compost. Volunteers Tony Gill and Harvey Hayden, executive board member, picked up and transported the materials.

Judy Smith found a place at the Franklin County 4-H Fair and provided 4-H Club members to work with volunteer Bob Gramlich to build the boxes for recipients to utilize. Harvey Hayden stored the boxes until they were needed.

At the proper time, Hayden distributed and helped prepare the boxes to be filled with a variety of plants. Linda Myhaver and Susan Gill  helped plant the seedlings. Recipients Terisa Phillips and Annabelle Champagne of Farmington praised the program and said they are already looking forward to next year. This year they planted peppers, lettuce, summer squash, basil, kale, parsley, dill, carrots, cucumbers and spinach inside their boxes. They planted tomato plants by a fence.

They have already been picking fresh vegetables, which they say are delicious, and also commented that this has been a wonderful learning experience for their children and grandchildren learning where food really comes from.

Terisa and Annabelle said that many people have commented on the boxes and have asked how they can become a part of the program. Other recipients from Jay have also said their boxes are admired and people want to know how they can get involved.

After the vegetables have been harvested, the boxes will be collected and stored over the winter. The committee is already planning to have more boxes built to continue and increase the program next year. For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Susan Gill at 778-6978 or the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 778-4650 or 1-800-287-1478.

Copy the Story Link