FARMINGTON — The Garden Angel Project is now in its third year and is thriving due to the generosity of many local businesses, wonderful volunteers, Extension support, an ENCORE Grant from the Encore Leadership Corps and better weather than last year.

It is a very exciting time for the members of the Garden Angel Project committee, Sue Gill, Linda Brown, Linda Myhaver, Amy Palmer and Linda Gramlich, as they have watched the program expand from eight boxes the first year to 24 boxes this year.

Last year, it was decided to expand the program due to a definite need for people in Franklin County for fresh, nutritious food. The group discussed possible ways of acquiring money to make this possible. Member Amy Palmer began the process for writing a grant application to the Encore Leadership Corps. The additional boxes built this year were made possible with the grant money received from the ENCORE Grant allowing the committee to purchase lumber from Hammond Lumber Company at a discounted price and Valley Brook Sawmill also at a discounted price.

The boxes were built by Michelle Winslow’s 4-H members, Janna Winslow, Jared Winslow and John Curtis Winslow, with instruction and assistance from volunteers Dan Palmer, Steve Scharoun and Bob Gramlich. Bob also built legs for some of the boxes for recipients who needed an adaptation for the box to be elevated.

Loam was donated by E. L. Vining and Sons, Inc. and compost was donated by John Perry. These two compounds were mixed by Harvey Hayden and Bob Gramlich, creating a very rich soil. The soil was delivered to the 24 project recipients by Harvey and Bob under the supervision of Sue Gill.

After the soil had been delivered, Linda Myhaver came around with plants and seeds for the recipients to choose what they would like to plant in their particular box. Some recipients also used some donated five-gallon pails for larger plants that spread out and take too much room inside the box. Plants and seeds were donated by Farmington Farmers Union Hardware, Whitehill Farm, Robin’s Flower Pot, Riverside Greenhouses, Reny’s and Carol Waters.

Volunteer Ellen Nadeau instructed recipients in proper watering and weeding. Beth Greenlaw, a master gardener, volunteered to help recipients with their boxes. Dave Fuller, from the Franklin County Extension, offered his expertise especially concerning pest control if necessary, and Lani Carlson, Project Coordinator Maine AgrAbility Program at the Cooperative Extension, provided adaptive tool information and advice.

For more information about the Garden Angel Project or how to help, contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 778-4650, or a committee member at 778-3156.