With a lot in the news lately about organic gardening, “farm-to-table food” and schools teaching children how to grow food which they then eat in the cafeteria, Providence United Methodist Church has committed to use part of its property to offer organic gardening plots for families, schools and groups in the area who want to grow their own fruits and vegetables.
The church will also grow fruits and vegetables on one large plot as an outreach to those in the community who struggle to buy healthy food.
Senior pastor Warren Huddleston explains, “We’ve been blessed with 105 acres here in southern Fayette County and helping families help themselves and reaching out to those in need is a great use of the property.”
Middle School student minister Jono Moehlig had the vision to start The Jubilee Community Garden,
“I was reading in the book of Isaiah about what type of fast God requires,” he said. “It is not just a fast from food, it is not a prideful spiritual discipline that you can show off to others, it is to share your bread with the hungry. Looking around at the area that we have here at Providence I thought there had to be something more we can do. Having food drives and giving canned goods to organizations is a good and necessary thing but God gave me a vision for something sustainable, that we could grow food from the earth to help our hungry neighbors.
Providence had the soil tested and found they will need to add sand and top soil but those who sign up to grow food can also bring in additional soil for their plot.
The missions committee of the church is funding fencing, the Providence Men’s Ministry will install the fence, and middle and high school students will divide the plots.
The church is designating an area of the garden where sixth through twelfth grade students will grow food to give away through organizations like the Fayette Samaritans and The Real Life Center.
There is a limited number of plots available to small groups and families in the community for a $10 registration fee and $90 for the year, which includes water for irrigating.
“The garden is open to anyone who wants to garden organically — they can grow anything from potatoes to strawberries, whatever their family or group wants to grow, as long as no pesticides are used,” Moehlig said.
Ten foot square plots can be reserved now by contacting Jono Moehlig at jmoehlig@provumc.com for forms and info.
Providence UMC is in southern Fayette County at 592 Bernhard Road between Ga. Highway 85 and Redwine Road. Call for more info. 770-719-8800.
