Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/303102
www.FredParent.NET • • • 17 www.FredParent.NET • • • 17 www.FredParent.NET • • • 17 and encourage gardeners to donate a portion of their homegrown produce. For local farmers and gardeners wishing to donate, it will be convenient with a collection truck available weekly during the growing months at the Saturday Spotsylvania County Farmers' Market. "Most people aren't aware that the food bank accepts homegrown produce, so we encourage farm- ers and gardeners to bring fresh produce to the farmers' market during growing season. The food bank or their affiliates will receive it and fill the need. This June is the first season," says VanSlyke. A biologist and an artist who teaches part-time, VanSlyke also has built in a creative, hands-on com- ponent that is aimed at helping those wanting to learn to garden. They'll learn to create their own garden to help with the project. It's something fami- lies can do together. "In addition, we will make available an affordable garden kit with the purpose of encouraging involve- ment by those who may not have gardened before. This will be a family project, providing children the opportunity to learn about gardening and to give back to their community. "The garden kit will include a 4'x4' cedar gar- den box, five bags of The Square Foot Garden Foundation Soil, square foot garden instructions, and a petition for young gardeners to pledge a por- tion of their garden bounty to the food bank. We will offer free workshops in square foot gardening for novice gardeners and provide online gardening resources," she says. VanSlyke has partnered with The Square Foot Gardening Foundation, a non-profit organization that works installing gardens and teaching their gardening methods; Riverbend High School; The Spotsylvania Educational Foundation; and the Fredericksburg Home Depot on Gateway Boulevard. "The Home Depot has gone above and beyond in helping us by securing kit pricing and offering help and support at every turn. Riverbend High School students will be growing plants for garden kits and Bonnie Plants has donated 600-plus vegetable plants. We haven't yet set a date for garden kits to go on sale, but pick up will be May 3 at the Fredericksburg Home Depot Community Event," says VanSlyke. Learn more about Grow Your Neighbor at http://www.growforyourneighbor.com/. Chris Jones is a contributing writer for Fredericksburg Parent. Rappahannock Area Project Project Project Project Project Project Project Project Project Project Project Project LINK LINK LINK Project LINK Project Project Project LINK Project LINK Project LINK Project Project Project LINK Project We have a vision of a community that empowers women and their families to have healthy lifestyles free of addiction 540-891-3132 www.racsb.state.va.us A program of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board Most people aren't aware that the food bank accepts homegrown produce.