Here’s a Great Way to Learn How to Garden Like a Pro!

Perhaps you’ve thought about growing a little garden so your family can enjoy some home-grown veggies, or maybe you want to grow some to sell. Either way, Grow Appalachia has a great way for you to learn to garden, or improve on your gardening skills. Meghan Hullinger, an AmeriCorps member who works with Grow Appalachia and High Rocks explains.

“Hi, my name is Meghan Hullinger, I am an AmeriCorps member serving with High Rocks this year” said Hollinger. “One of the programs we offer is Grow Appalachia. Grow Appalachia started as an initiative of Berea College. It began as a partnership in 2009 between Berea College and JP’s (John Paul Dejoria’s) Peace, Love and Happiness Foundation to address food and security in Appalachia. For more then ten years, Grow Appalachia has been partnering with organizations, communities and families in central Appalachia to create healthy, resilient and healthy food systems where healthy food is accessible to everyone.”

“So, what we do through High Rocks, is to give people the seeds, tools, and knowledge to get their gardens started” she said. “We will provide seeds or plants, fertilizer, and up to two gardening tools to participants absolutely free. All we ask is that you come to six gardening workshops, where you will learn about planning a garden, planting a garden, maintaining your garden, cooking and canning and seasonal extension.”

“We have gardeners from absolute beginners -never grown a garden- to professional market gardeners. So, there really is something for everyone” Hullinger said. “and that’s one of the things I enjoy about this program. I really like meeting new people and getting ideas, tips and tricks from more experienced gardeners than myself. Participants are welcome to come to our workshops every year, but will only be eligible to receive seeds and tools for two years, unless they are elderly, disabled or a single parent, in which case they can get the seeds each and every year.”

“In order to sign-up, you can call High Rocks, Monday through Friday, at 304-653-4891, or email growappalachia@highrocks.org” she said. “We are currently holding garden planning workshops, so be sure to sign-up ASAP and reserve your spot. So, whether you have a ten by ten family vegetable garden, or an acre dedicated to growing for market, come and take advantage of this amazing program, and meet some new friends”