JUBILEE GARDENS Group cultivates community

The program provides land, plants and technical support to families in urban areas.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gardening resources were provided to local residents Thursday when Jubilee Gardens Inc. hosted its 22nd annual Spring Kickoff Luncheon at First Presbyterian Church.
One hundred people who attended the event were provided with seeds, plants and fertilizer. Some won door prizes including tomato plants, gardening tools and pottery.
Jubilee Gardens is a charitable community gardening organization. They provide plants, seeds and technical support to low- and medium-income families in urban settings.
Seedlings are started through the Ohio State Penitentiary Community Service Program.
Inmates provided 3,000 plants to participants in 2004.
Successful program
In 2004, Jubilee Gardens served 250 people with gardening assistance and more than 4,000 people received vegetables for meals.
They also provided garden plots to participants.
This year, there are five community garden sites with more than 50 individual plots and at least 10 more agency sponsored sites, including churches, schools and the Men and Women's Donofrio Homes.
Jubilee Gardens recently became an independent nonprofit organization after being connected to Second Harvest Food bank.
The Ohio State University Extension and Jubilee Gardens work together through a grant from the Raymond John Wean Foundation in Warren.
Together, they created Good Nature Partners Program, which allows about 20 groups of children to garden.
"We're trying to keep gardening fresh and exciting for children. That's what's important," said David Goerig, Horticulture Educator and County Director of the Ohio State University Extension. "It's good to get children involved."
For the kids
Children in the Mahoning Valley, kindergarten through high school, and at least one adult team up to garden.
Children win prizes and recognition in the fall for the tallest sunflower, best plate of peppers, best tomato, largest pumpkin and largest zucchini.
Groups include Girl Scout Troop 552, Earth Angels from the Ursuline Mother House, Paul C. Bunn Elementary School in Youngstown and two groups from Campbell Middle School.
There are no dues for the program, but donations are accepted.
Jubilee Gardens is still accepting applications for participation. For more information, call Michael Sovik at (330) 402-0538.