The ward garden committee with the blessings of the Bishop is now prepared to increase the opportunity to receive even greater blessings from working in the ward garden.
Our goal is to increase the number of people experiencing the joy and blessings from participation in some phase of the garden project. We are asking now that each of you invite someone to “join you” at the garden, not just invite them to go there themselves. This would apply to those that you home or visit teach. It would involve those that might be a little less involved in church activity. It might be someone in your class, or quorum who has not had that experience yet. It could even be your own family.
This would apply to any and all phases of the experience. First and foremost we need a willing army of Weeders. They will need to join by those who harvest, process and distribute the produce.
Be creative in thinking of ways in which tie garden can bless your life and the live of those you love.
In addition to the blessings received from sharing the experience, we are now planning a party to reward those that have heeded the call.
Near the end of the season, we are planning on having a celebration to top all celebrations at the Gill homestead. There will be access to their infamous zip line. There will be a wiener roast and shmores around a campfire. Entertainment will be provided by the Majors family and cowboy poets. Hammocks will be supplied. Games can be played in the park area and in the large grassy area.
Your ticket to the festivities will include having taking someone new with you to the garden experience just once or attending garden activities yourself at least five different times. You are asked to develop your own time cards and have them signed off by a member of the Bishopric, ward leader or member of the garden committee. We know any one willing to work in the garden will be honest about time keeping
More information to follow in the Friendshipper, ward program and garden blog that is Produceaplenty.blog let’s get going. The work to do is there for you, put your shoulder to the wheel.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June Friendshipper article for Ward garden
True to form, the garden is up and running now with a little warm weather. Stop by and see the hand of the Lord in action. At Lyman Jensen’s plot every thing that was planted is up and flourishing and competing intently with the evil forces of weeds and bugs. Chris Bailey’s corn patch has the first planting completed and awaits the second shortly.
The onions are responding well and the tips of green wave in the wind as the delicious bulbs beneath the surface increase in size and scrumpdidlialushness daily. The potatoes now resemble a thick dark green wave of undulating potato plants. The area between the rows have been tilled and hilled, while the area between plants are being choked by our life long nemesis, Captain field bind weed or morning glory. Pole beans, cucumbers, and winter squash all have broke the surface and are reaching for the sun literally. Transplanted tomatoes and pepper plants have withstood the initial transplant shock and are hitting their stride.
We are getting fairly good turn-outs for maintenance, but in order to keep ahead of things we need to seriously magnify our callings as stewards of the Paradise gardens. The following plan is in place to stay ahead of the count for the garden.
1. Regular scheduled weeding, planting, spraying and harvesting is regularly scheduled two times a week
A. The first is on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM
B. The second is every Saturday morning from 10:00 Am till 2:00 PM
2. Once you have learned the system, we encourage families and individuals to help out whenever it is convenient for them.
The ward leaders and the garden committee personally challenge every member in the ward to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience the Pure love of Christ in Action through your efforts. We promise you that you will be filled with the spirit and will be a part of a great force for good in the community.
The Bishop has sent out a call for someone to volunteer as ward photographer to chronicle the events of the garden.
The onions are responding well and the tips of green wave in the wind as the delicious bulbs beneath the surface increase in size and scrumpdidlialushness daily. The potatoes now resemble a thick dark green wave of undulating potato plants. The area between the rows have been tilled and hilled, while the area between plants are being choked by our life long nemesis, Captain field bind weed or morning glory. Pole beans, cucumbers, and winter squash all have broke the surface and are reaching for the sun literally. Transplanted tomatoes and pepper plants have withstood the initial transplant shock and are hitting their stride.
We are getting fairly good turn-outs for maintenance, but in order to keep ahead of things we need to seriously magnify our callings as stewards of the Paradise gardens. The following plan is in place to stay ahead of the count for the garden.
1. Regular scheduled weeding, planting, spraying and harvesting is regularly scheduled two times a week
A. The first is on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM
B. The second is every Saturday morning from 10:00 Am till 2:00 PM
2. Once you have learned the system, we encourage families and individuals to help out whenever it is convenient for them.
The ward leaders and the garden committee personally challenge every member in the ward to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience the Pure love of Christ in Action through your efforts. We promise you that you will be filled with the spirit and will be a part of a great force for good in the community.
The Bishop has sent out a call for someone to volunteer as ward photographer to chronicle the events of the garden.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Community garden puts food on needy tables
Alison B. LawJune 13, 2010
Where is the Lord’s Garden planted and blossoming? In Paradise, of course.
The project of planting and harvesting a garden began last year when Noel Gill of the LDS fourth ward in Paradise wanted a way to help others. Gill said he saw many people who had lost their jobs and were in need of some extra help. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages members to have gardens and to be prepared by having food storage, giving Gill the idea to start a garden for those in need. Gill, who was then the high priest group leader, approached the bishop about the idea and said it quickly went from something small to a large scale project.
Lyman Jensen and Chris Bailey each donated large portions of land totalling over two acres next to their homes for the gardens. Gill had been planning on lots of little gardens spread out, but was appreciative of the land donations. Gill continued to round up people to help, especially those who had some background in gardening. Assignments were made depending on people’s specialties, ranging from site coordinator, irrigation and soil specialists, work crew coordinators, historian, communication and publicity people.
Floyd Faucette took the reins as the soil and fertilizer specialist for the gardens. Faucette said that while the ground is good in Paradise they put together a program to bring in compost to add to the soil. Last fall several local dairies dumped manure in the gardens. Faucette also uses different organic fertilizers on the plants, depending on the vegetable. The ground must also be plowed and tilled to get it ready for planting. Specific members of the ward are assigned to deep plow or till as needed.
The rain this year postponed the planting a while, but a few weeks ago families, members of the ward and youth groups came out in full force to start planting the garden. Over 30 youth participated in the planting last Tuesday night. Steve Woolf, who plays a big part in the gardens, said he thinks the garden will still grow as well as last year.
The gardens are divided up with the plot by the Bailey’s home bearing corn and the land from the Jensen’s having onions, potatoes, pole beans, tomatoes, green peppers, squash and cucumbers. Gill said the corn gets planted three times throughout the summer and last year the crop yielded “oodles and oodles” of corn.
As the plants start to grow, so do the weeds. This is where the largest group of people are needed Gill said. Groups gather on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings to pull weeds and tend to the garden. Once they have been taught what to do people, can come whenever they want. Gill said last year many people stopped by for a while before work to give of their time. Evelyn Nyman and her family spent some Family Home Evenings pulling weeds, although they were also taking care of their own garden.
Her children may have been reluctant at first to go help, but Nyman said once they got there they had fun.
“It’s fun to go out and help,” Nyman said.
New friendships were made as people weeded side by side last year Gill said and he hopes that continues this year. Over 70 people helped out last year and Gill hopes to have well over 100 this year. He and those he calls “the fearsome foursome,” including Woolf, Grant and Byron Rawlins and Dale Anderson spend at least five to six hours a week at the gardens, making sure things are kept up and teaching others as needed. The variety of people bring a variety of ideas of how to do things and it becomes a positive, informative process, Woolf said. Gill calls the gardens a “community spiritual experience,” hence the name “The Lord’s Garden.”
“It’s a great tool to get people out and get people acquainted with those they might not have known,” Woolf said.
Challenges hit the garden last year including water shortages, insects, wind damage, bad seed and lots of weeds. Gill compared them to the infestation of the crops by crickets in the days of the early Utah settlers. Despite these trials, the crops were plentiful and were able to help out many in need with fresh produce and canned, frozen or processed food. The group plans to continue to assist those in need with the harvest this fall. The women in the ward will teach one another canning and processing with the crops and share recipes using the fresh produce. Last year a dinner was held for the whole ward using some of the food from the garden or from the gardens of members. If all goes as planned, food will be distributed, recipes shared and a dinner to celebrate will follow this fall.
Where is the Lord’s Garden planted and blossoming? In Paradise, of course.
The project of planting and harvesting a garden began last year when Noel Gill of the LDS fourth ward in Paradise wanted a way to help others. Gill said he saw many people who had lost their jobs and were in need of some extra help. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages members to have gardens and to be prepared by having food storage, giving Gill the idea to start a garden for those in need. Gill, who was then the high priest group leader, approached the bishop about the idea and said it quickly went from something small to a large scale project.
Lyman Jensen and Chris Bailey each donated large portions of land totalling over two acres next to their homes for the gardens. Gill had been planning on lots of little gardens spread out, but was appreciative of the land donations. Gill continued to round up people to help, especially those who had some background in gardening. Assignments were made depending on people’s specialties, ranging from site coordinator, irrigation and soil specialists, work crew coordinators, historian, communication and publicity people.
Floyd Faucette took the reins as the soil and fertilizer specialist for the gardens. Faucette said that while the ground is good in Paradise they put together a program to bring in compost to add to the soil. Last fall several local dairies dumped manure in the gardens. Faucette also uses different organic fertilizers on the plants, depending on the vegetable. The ground must also be plowed and tilled to get it ready for planting. Specific members of the ward are assigned to deep plow or till as needed.
The rain this year postponed the planting a while, but a few weeks ago families, members of the ward and youth groups came out in full force to start planting the garden. Over 30 youth participated in the planting last Tuesday night. Steve Woolf, who plays a big part in the gardens, said he thinks the garden will still grow as well as last year.
The gardens are divided up with the plot by the Bailey’s home bearing corn and the land from the Jensen’s having onions, potatoes, pole beans, tomatoes, green peppers, squash and cucumbers. Gill said the corn gets planted three times throughout the summer and last year the crop yielded “oodles and oodles” of corn.
As the plants start to grow, so do the weeds. This is where the largest group of people are needed Gill said. Groups gather on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings to pull weeds and tend to the garden. Once they have been taught what to do people, can come whenever they want. Gill said last year many people stopped by for a while before work to give of their time. Evelyn Nyman and her family spent some Family Home Evenings pulling weeds, although they were also taking care of their own garden.
Her children may have been reluctant at first to go help, but Nyman said once they got there they had fun.
“It’s fun to go out and help,” Nyman said.
New friendships were made as people weeded side by side last year Gill said and he hopes that continues this year. Over 70 people helped out last year and Gill hopes to have well over 100 this year. He and those he calls “the fearsome foursome,” including Woolf, Grant and Byron Rawlins and Dale Anderson spend at least five to six hours a week at the gardens, making sure things are kept up and teaching others as needed. The variety of people bring a variety of ideas of how to do things and it becomes a positive, informative process, Woolf said. Gill calls the gardens a “community spiritual experience,” hence the name “The Lord’s Garden.”
“It’s a great tool to get people out and get people acquainted with those they might not have known,” Woolf said.
Challenges hit the garden last year including water shortages, insects, wind damage, bad seed and lots of weeds. Gill compared them to the infestation of the crops by crickets in the days of the early Utah settlers. Despite these trials, the crops were plentiful and were able to help out many in need with fresh produce and canned, frozen or processed food. The group plans to continue to assist those in need with the harvest this fall. The women in the ward will teach one another canning and processing with the crops and share recipes using the fresh produce. Last year a dinner was held for the whole ward using some of the food from the garden or from the gardens of members. If all goes as planned, food will be distributed, recipes shared and a dinner to celebrate will follow this fall.
Ward Garden Update
Hallelujah.!!!!! Like Moses and the chosen children of God under Moses who rejoiced when the waters of the Red Sea briefly parted, we have been able to utilize brief respites between rain to plant the onions, potatoes, pole beans, first planting of corn and peppers, and winter squash. Weeders and are now urgently needed to maintain the progress we have made.
The ward has scheduled two regular times each week to have members of the garden committee available for assistance and instruction for that week’s assignments. They are Saturday mornings and early afternoons and Tuesday evening. Members of the garden committee will be available for assistance and instructions during those times. Brother and Sister Doney will coordinate the work for Saturday Morning and afternoons and the YM/YW leaders will coordinate the Tuesday evening assignments
Once you have mastered the system and understand what needs to be done members can arrange to visit the garden at their convenience to contribute to the cause. Many have chosen to stop by before work. Others have taken the entire family for a family home evening activity. Some retired individuals have found that times during the day work best for them. Every individual, family and organization is encouraged and challenged to join in
We would ask that you check in with the Doneys or the YM/YW leaders each week so that we can coordinate the efforts. Grant Rawlins is our garden water master and you may need to check the watering schedule before e you go as well.
Members are reminded that the garden as its own blog which can be accessed by typing in, produceaplenty.blog. We will try to have the latest information available. Please check in regularly to see the progress and the needs.
Remember the words of the inspiring hymn. Put your shoulder to the wheel. “ The Church has need of helping hands, and hearts that know and feel. The work to do is here for you; Put your shoulder to the wheel “The work to do is here for you, put your shoulder to the wheel, push along. We all have work; let no one shirk. Put your shoulder to the wheel
The ward has scheduled two regular times each week to have members of the garden committee available for assistance and instruction for that week’s assignments. They are Saturday mornings and early afternoons and Tuesday evening. Members of the garden committee will be available for assistance and instructions during those times. Brother and Sister Doney will coordinate the work for Saturday Morning and afternoons and the YM/YW leaders will coordinate the Tuesday evening assignments
Once you have mastered the system and understand what needs to be done members can arrange to visit the garden at their convenience to contribute to the cause. Many have chosen to stop by before work. Others have taken the entire family for a family home evening activity. Some retired individuals have found that times during the day work best for them. Every individual, family and organization is encouraged and challenged to join in
We would ask that you check in with the Doneys or the YM/YW leaders each week so that we can coordinate the efforts. Grant Rawlins is our garden water master and you may need to check the watering schedule before e you go as well.
Members are reminded that the garden as its own blog which can be accessed by typing in, produceaplenty.blog. We will try to have the latest information available. Please check in regularly to see the progress and the needs.
Remember the words of the inspiring hymn. Put your shoulder to the wheel. “ The Church has need of helping hands, and hearts that know and feel. The work to do is here for you; Put your shoulder to the wheel “The work to do is here for you, put your shoulder to the wheel, push along. We all have work; let no one shirk. Put your shoulder to the wheel
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