Growing a little good will in the community

Growing a little good will in the community

Faith Roots Community Garden all about developing relationships

news@theeveningtimes.com

Ground has been broken and a new outreach planted at the corner of 7th Street and Broadway in West Memphis. The First United Methodist Church tilled a 90’ by 40’ plot, improved the soil and installed irrigation for its Faith Roots Community Garden. The garden was dedicated Sunday May 21 and planted Friday.

“The whole point of the garden is to develop relationships in the community,” said church member Melissa Pierce. “We are hoping to make lots of new friends as people come to tend the garden and work side by side.”

The newly planted crops make for a wide menu.

Blueberries, peaches, and figs are the first fruits in the new plot. Seven rows will be filled with purple hull peas, tomatoes, peppers, okra. Cucumbers will spout out of raised beds in new cedar boxes. Cooks will enjoy fresh herbs, rosemary, thyme, chives, basil.

The garden will have a fall planting too with kale, greens, and pumpkins.

“We plan to be there, and build on the success.” said Pierce.

Enthusiasm is high for the start of the project. It’s easy to become a part by enlisting for text messages and email blasts. People driving by have already stopped to check out the activity. Anyone interested may stop by to anytime others are working the garden or contacting the West Memphis United Methodist Church.

“We have lots of volunteers,” said Pierce. “We send text messages and emails blasts when it’s time to tend it and harvest it.

The edibles are just part of what is sprouting.

“We are growing our or text and e-mail lists whenever people say they want to be part of it,” said Pierce. “We’ll meet in early mornings and late afternoons to work the garden.

It’s tons of fun and good.”

Produce goes to those that work and the surrounding neighborhood community.

“We’ll push the produce to the neighbor need,” said Pierce. “We have a cooking ministry in the old Rosewood church and we’ll push a lot of the herbs there to cook with new healthier ingredients. We’ll give produce to anyone that comes and needs it.”

Also new on the lot is a blessing box offering free necessities. There is one at the church and now the second one is in the garden.

“It’s there for anyone in need,” said Pierce. “It has tooth brushes, mouth wash, shaving cream, peanut butter

crackers.”

By John Rech