Oak Hill Clovers sprout new skills and ideas to help people

By Linda M. Linonis

The garden is like going to the grocery store without having to pay for anything, one boy said.

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of the Oak Hill Clovers 4-H Club dig their gardening project at St. Patrick Church in more than one way.

“One of the principles of Catholic social teaching is caring for God’s creation,” said Carla Hlavac, director of faith formation. “They’re experiencing the wonder of seeing things grow from nothing into something.

“It’s seeing God’s hand at work,” she said. “And they’re learning about being good stewards of the earth.”

The participants, boys and girls ranging in age from 3 to 13, are mostly members of the church who hail from urban and suburban homes. Some neighborhood children participate.

The children were involved from the first planting and are now harvesting. “They’re excited about that,” Hlavac said.

Hlavac said Ra’Quan Sadler, 7, grandson of Ann Lawson, a church member, told her the garden is like going to the grocery store without having to pay for anything. The children take some of the bounty of the garden home.

The group has shared vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, pole beans, peppers and tomatoes with families of the young gardeners who need it and with church members. Also in the garden are potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, watermelon.

But with no prompting from Hlavac, the young people have thought of two ways that their harvest can help people.

“They’re already thinking ahead to next year and want to expand the garden,” Hlavac said. Their reasons are altruistic — they want to give the produce to those in need and sell some of it to make money to donate to a charity.

“They were thinking of the needs of the poor first, before themselves,” she said. “They see that people in these neighborhoods don’t have as much as some of them do.”

The Oak Hill Clovers sprung up in February at St. Patrick. “We’re brand-new,” Hlavac said. She explained that the church at 1420 Oak Hill Ave., was able to buy property on Cleveland Street through Lien Forward Ohio, a program operated out of the Mahoning County treasurer’s office that provides legal, financial and other assistance to those wishing to acquire vacant properties.

Across the street from the church, the lot is easily accessible to the children.

Last year, the Rev. Edward Noga grew corn there, Hlavac said of the church pastor. The youth suggested using the land for gardens. “I didn’t have any 4-H experience but I know kids,” Hlavac said. “I knew we could give it a shot.”

Hlavac contacted Janice Hanna, director of Mahoning County 4-H at the Ohio State University extension office. “She got us started,” Hlavac said. The first meeting attracted some 32 children and now some 20 to 25 attend meetings and participate in activities.

Hlavac grouped the participants in six garden teams. Each tends a raised garden plot that contains a sunflower and the crops they decided to grow. Some plots also have zinnias.

Ted Vagas, a member of the Men’s Garden Club of Youngstown and church member, bought the seeds and plants for the project. He taught the children about the organic method of gardening, Hlavac said.

Marilyn Brady, a gardener and church member, made the tepee structures for the beans. Also helping out was Sister Jeanne Thurin of the GROW program at Villa Maria Community Center in Villa Maria, Pa., who supplied the group with kid-sized gardening tools and watering cans.

“After Mass, the kids would run out and check the garden,” Hlavac said. “At first, there were wasn’t much. But little by little, the plants began to grow, and the kids were thrilled.”

The young gardeners continue to harvest, and they’re also preparing for their participation in the Canfield Fair with “4-H Rocks the City.” They’ll be in Building 25 with their display.

“It’s kinda cool,” said Scott McMaster, 13, of the project. “It’s fun and you can hang out.”

Nud’a Hassen, 11, said she was proud of what the group had grown. “I like the fact we made it and grew it on our own,” she said. “I want to grow enough to help people who need it.”

Her sister, Aliyah Hassen, 10, also agreed with that sentiment. “It’s nice to help.”

Their little sister, Layla Hassen, 3, said she liked eating beans right out of the garden.

Now that’s the beauty of growing your own food.