It’s pretty easy to get connected to food, or at least that’s what Community Food Initiatives is trying to make known through its community and school garden programs.
These programs allow students and Athenians to grow their own food in a previously existing garden with the help of CFI to provide seeds and materials.
There are five community garden locations across Athens county.
“The idea is so that people can get empowered to grow their own food,” said Jessica Chadwell, director of the community garden program.
For $25, members are able to plant in the garden and are allowed access to many workshops throughout the year as well as tool sheds at each garden location.
Last year, there were more than 70 gardeners, who ranged from high school and college students to local families.
The gardeners grow a variety of different products, including tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and a range of salad greens.
“They’re all really inspired and enthusiastic,” said Chadwell.
CFI has expanded its programming this year with an initiative that will allow children to try their hand at gardening while at school though CFI’s School Garden program.
While CFI did set up some of the gardens, most already existed at the nearly 15 participating schools throughout the county.
“The mission is to teach kids about how to grow their own food and prepare it,” said Mike McTernan, director of the school garden program. “If we teach kids to grow, our idea is for them to grow at home.”
Many of these schools utilize the gardens for lessons related to what they learn in the classroom, while others use the plots to produce food for the cafeteria.
CFI’s goal is to be a resource to those in charge of the garden by helping with materials and research for the garden. McTernan also tries to teach lessons to students and show teachers that it’s easy to link it into their classroom lessons. Currently, most teachers use it for math and science lessons.
The garden program also works with a variety of youth programs, including Youth Entrepreneurs At Hope, where children work to grow their own produce and then sell it at the Athens Farmers’ Market.
CFI is in search of volunteers to help with the school program over the summer. If interested, reach out to the organization at communityfoodinitiatives.org.
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