True Community Gardening

Starting a new local impact homegrown ministry called the Blackhawk Food Pantry Garden (BFPG), Blackhawk EFC in Verona, WI has put out the call for 200 volunteers. The BFPGs purpose is to fill the shelves of food pantries in Dane County, WI with fresh fruits and vegetables. The food will be donated to Feeding America (Second Harvest), the Community Action Coalition, and St. Vincent de Paul. A portion will be kept at the church for those in need who call Blackhawk their church home.

A Blackhawk member, Mike Menard has graciously allowed the use of 1.8 acres of his land for the gardens. Two others, Nick Krey and John Perry are spearheading the project. Working with two organizations, the Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens and the Community Action Coalition, they'll soon get the project started literally from the ground up. The MAFPG organization is helping till the land and donating all of the seeds. The CAC is providing funding for a shed and all the tools that will be needed. 200 volunteer are needed to provide all the staff hours to make this work. Nick Krey believes it will take about 50 hours of labor each week (fluctuating between planting, weeding, and harvesting). Family and group-friendly — people of all ages can participate. For more information, contact Nick Krey at gardens@blackhawkchurch.org.

Story from May 2009 Life@blackhawk newsletter.