Worland community garden ends fourth year

WORLAND — This year, the Worland community garden had another successful year, thanks in part to Action Resources International and a support from the AmeriCorps VISTA program.

Located across from the baseball fields at Newell Sargent Park in Worland, the University of Wyoming Washakie County Extension garden, which began four years ago, grows melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, sunflowers, and a variety of herbs for local consumption.

Working with local charities and relief organizations, Extension Educator Caitlyn Youngquist supplies harvest foods to the senior center, Ministerial Association food pantry, Big Horn Enterprises and O.W.L. Unlimited and The Lighthouse on a weekly basis, and other organizations throughout the summer and fall.

Kelly Ferguson, an associate with AmeriCorps, contributed over 450 hours to the garden, along with supervising 449 volunteers to grow food for the community.

“I have watched people share, argue, and connect with one another among the rows of vegetables. I’ve heard children squeal with delight as they pull a carrot from the ground or yank a cucumber off the vine. I’ve seen the courage and spirit in a self-doubting woman as she ventured to taste a vegetable no one else would. I’ve watched kids stare with amazement at a bumble bee in a jar and worms wiggling in the soil. I’ve seen the gratitude on the faces of recipients of the produce. I believe the positive impact of the garden has only begun,” said Ferguson, of the experience.

Kelly and her team of volunteers harvested 3,206 pounds of fruits and vegetables this year, with 506 pounds going to volunteers.

In 2018, the garden hosted 125 youths and 94 adults at 26 educational programs, and routinely teaches area residents how to build at-home gardens.

To continue in 2019 and beyond, the garden through the UW Washakie County Extension Office, is having a fund drive to raise $3,000 to finance the garden. Donations or inquiries can made by contacting the Extension office at (307) 347-3431.

Youngquist said the garden also needs leaves and old alfalfa hay. Anyone wanting to drop off leaves or hay for the garden can contact the Extension office.