Preparing for the Harvest - Newsletter Article

Preparing for the Harvest.

With fall quickly approaching people are thinking about harvesting their crops and preparing for the winter weather. At Quin Rivers, we are taking steps towards doing the same. Quin Rivers, a 40-year old, non-profit, recently developed a Community Food Program that seeks to enhance the existing food pantries in the City of Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George and Stafford, as well as establish pantries where there is need.

The pantries will be enhanced through various different means; two examples are gleaning and growing. The gleaning will not be the traditional sense of gathering from the remnant of the farmer’s fields but rather gathering product at the end of the local farm markets. This program was launched at the Spotsylvania Farm Market located on Rt.3 at Gordon Rd, and the foundation is being laid to continue this at other markets in the area.

Garden spaces will be established this fall in order to begin growing in the spring of 2010. Growing will take place in community gardens developed for the purpose of filling the local food pantries. We have joined hearts, minds and hands with local Virginia extension Agents and Master Gardeners to make the gardens come to life. We invite all those interested to join us in the gardens and partake in growing.

Through these two measures we expect to service more people with food that is nutritionally balanced and locally grown. Our programs will have elements of education tied to them as it plays a key role to the life skills and lessons learned through growing and harvesting in our gardens. It is an opportunity for individuals to harvest their own love for growing in structured locations as well as a chance to learn skills to develop home gardens. It is also an opportunity for a better quality of life through proper nutrition for those who partake in the harvest.

YOU can help the harvest. If you, your organization, or anyone else you know, is interested in helping there be a bountiful harvest there are many opportunities for you. Volunteers are always needed to work in the gardens. If you cannot offer time, we will accept donations of tools, seeds, fence supplies, along with any other assistance. Please contact Lindsey P Williams, Community Food Program Coordinator, by email at lphillips@quinrivers.org.