Community Garden

Hunter Elementary, just a half mile from my house, has agreed to let me and a group of volunteers from the Vintage21 Church start a community garden on school property. The surrounding neighborhood is one that was recently hit by the tornado on April 16 and was already one of the poorest areas of the city. At the school, 290 students qualify for free lunch, and 75 students are experiencing homelessness.

Speaking to one of the the school's administrators, I wasn't sure exactly what the desire of the school would be - a teaching tool, something just for the kids, etc, but she was very intent that the surrounding community have access to the garden and that mentors have a space to work with the kids. The school has a lovely courtyard with a couple raised beds and a greenhouse purchased by the PTA, but the courtyard is closed off to the public. This led to the selection of the future garden to be at the front left of the school where there is an open grassy area with plenty sunshine.

Before I let you think for a second I am undergoing a noble task, know that I love to garden and selfishly am excited about having another avenue to spend time doing something I enjoy. The past three years, I've mainly spent my time in my own house and yard, and it just felt like it was time to get out and serve. I tossed around different ways I could volunteer with the church, but nothing really clicked. After I dove into the world of garden blogging with Love Sown, the idea of a community garden started tugging at my sleeve. 

The night after I pitched the idea of doing a school/community garden on our church's social media site, I had trouble sleeping, fearing what I was getting myself into and wishing I could take it all back. I simply prayed that God would open and close the right doors and then tried to push the idea out of my head. Of course, I started getting responses from people who were really excited to get involved in the project. Still I tried to keep it at bay thinking maybe this could be started in the fall. Two weeks later I got word that Hunter Elementary wanted us and that Logan's along with their Plant a Row for the Hungry program would donate all the plants we need - when could I meet? Since then, several friends have offered to help with procuring the other supplies we need.

I'm a little nervous that after all the work and excitement this coming week, the plants will all wither and die... or worse, they will look gorgeous and produce no fruit. Dead plants can be replaced, but barren plants just taunt a gardener.

I wasn't going to go the spiritual route with this post and even with how I talk about this project because I don't claim to be divinely inspired. I just know that I like gardening and starting new projects, and the thought of kids going hungry makes me want to get off my butt. My heart may not be in this for all the right reasons, but when I see God at work, I shouldn't deny it. He has opened the doors for this despite my reluctant heart. I believe that God goes before us, with us and after us, and sometimes He goes in spite of us. Six years ago, I didn't really even garden. I think I might have just planted my first squash plant ever. Twelve years before that as a high school senior, I didn't want to visit NC State because it was "an ag school" and I wasn't into that. What did I know back then? Not  much. What do I know now? Still not much.

Yes, I am excited. This feels like a step in the right direction.

All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
-Gungor