Meet a G.N.O.M.E. donating homegrown produce in Springfield, MO
Our Giving GNOMEs may have different approaches to gardening, but they all agree that Growing Nutritious and Outrageously-fresh Meals for Everyone is a meaningful way to give back to their communities. We're highlighting a few of their stories.
"Everyone deserves to have the chance at a healthy and balanced diet."
1. In 2-3 sentences, tell us a little about you and your garden.
I’m a relatively novice gardener, but learning and growing more each year. My staple crops are tomatoes, peppers, and squash, but I love to experiment with new stuff each year.
2. What motivates you to grow and share your homegrown produce?
I’ve been on the receiving end of food donations at times throughout my life, and it was generally things like soda, box meals, low quality meats, and almost no fresh fruits or veggies. Everyone deserves to have the chance at a healthy and balanced diet.
3. Tell us about your proudest gardening moment.
Defeating squash beetles (for now)! IYKYK.
4. What garden tool can you not live without?
Water faucet timer. ADHD and drip irrigation WITHOUT a timer is a dangerous combo.
5. What piece of advice would you give a beginning gardener?
You’re gonna have pests. Your plants are gonna get diseases. Some plants will appear to just inexplicably die. It’s ok. You’re gonna do great! Don’t give up.
Meet more Fresh Food Connect Giving GNOMEs here!
🌱 Find all of Fresh Food Connect's Resources for Gardeners here
🥕 Gardening in Colorado? Check out CSU Extension's Grow & Give program for more information on growing to share for hunger relief in Colorado.
Your garden can make a difference!
Donating your extra homegrown produce for hunger relief is a meaningful way to give back in your community. The free Fresh Food Connect mobile app connects you to a local hunger relief program, then manages and tracks your donations of homegrown produce throughout the season. 🍅Download the app to get started!🍅