We are extremely excited to announce a proposed churchwide project that while as different as anything GABC has done before, will allow us to continue our journey of demonstrating our love of Christ and our love for each other by using our land to grow and provide fresh vegetables/food items to those in our community that need it most.
The following will outline the steps (The Why, What, How and When) we plan to take to accomplish this project as well as how you can be a part of this incredibly worthy ministry.
Why:
The gardens will provide sustainable, healthy food and a better quality of life for those in need.
They become a valuable place for all ages to learn, experience and explore how things grow.
The gardens will foster teamwork and fellowship among our members.
The gardens will provide a place where we are likely to meet and get to know our neighbors who want to know what is going on and possibly how they can help.
We are provided additional opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us.
What:
The first step will be for Eric and Allen to determine/select a Food Pantry that GABC can partner with that already has a proven process in place to accept and distribute food to those in need.
This project consists of building, preparing, and maintaining raised garden beds on the land behind the church to grow crops during the spring, summer, and fall. The beds will be 4’ x 8’ and 13.5” deep. A raised garden bed is one that is built up (above ground) instead of down in the ground.
We will build four beds in the beginning with the intent to build additional beds (perhaps up to eight) as we move forward.
We will start with summer vegetables such as squash, zucchini, cucumbers, green and red peppers, and cherry tomatoes. We also plan to dedicate one bed to a mix of herbs such as thyme, rosemary, chives, basil, sage, and oregano. In the fall we will incorporate some salad greens such as spinach, arugula, and different lettuces.
Our goal, if all goes to plan, is to be able to start picking, packaging, and delivering some fresh vegetables and herbs to the Food Pantry by mid to late July of this summer.
How:
Eric and Allen will start putting multiple volunteer teams together. The youth will be involved in each phase of the teams.
Team One will build the four garden beds per the plans and materials provided. The specific location of the beds on the land behind the church to be determined.
Team Two will prepare the beds by filling with the soil mix and fertilizer that will be delivered to the church. This team will also plant the crops according to best practices.
Team Three will maintain the beds by watering, weeding, picking, and preparing the crops for delivery to the Food Pantry.
We will have additional teams of prayer warriors praying for a bountiful harvest.
When:
To meet the harvest deadline, we need to have the beds built no later than Saturday May 16 and then have the vegetables/ herbs planted no later than the following week.
Miscellaneous:
In addition to the beds, other options include installing three compost units that will be used for applicable food scraps from Wednesday night church dinners. We are also considering several rain barrels that would allow us to have ready sourced water for the beds.
This project will be paid for by funds already allocated for feeding ministries.
All of those interested in being on one of the teams should contact Eric or Allen as soon as possible.