Program, volunteer information will be available at the Farmington Fair

FARMINGTON — Season 2013 started with the building of eight additional boxes for the Garden Angel Project, bringing the total to 16 boxes this year. The boxes were built with the assistance of 4-H members at their 4-H Day on June 1 at the Farmington Fair Grounds in the Starbird Building under the capable supervision of volunteers, Bob Gramlich and Dan Palmer.

The boxes were delivered by Harvey Hayden, member of the Franklin County Extension Executive Board; Susan Gill, Garden Angel Project Coordinator, member of the Franklin County Extension Executive Board and president of the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers; and Gramlich.

They busily mixed potting soil donated by Aubuchon Hardware and loam donated by E. L. Vining and Son, Inc., filling boxes and plastic containers in various areas of Farmington, West Farmington, East Wilton, Jay, Industry and Starks. The boxes were planted with an assortment of plants and seeds donated by Whitehill Farm, Robin’s Flower Pot, Farmington Farmer’s Union, Reny’s Department Store and several individuals.

All sixteen boxes were utilized along with many plastic containers. Despite the sometimes crazy weather with torrential downpours, cool temperatures or extreme heat, the boxes and container gardens seemed to fare pretty well. At the beginning of the season, some plants needed to be replanted, but it was all worth it. There was an abundance of green beans, cherry tomatoes, green leaf lettuce, delicious peppers, etc.

Due to the positive response for this program, the Garden Angel committee consisting of Gill; Linda Myhaver from the Extension Homemakers Neighborhood Group; Linda Brown, vice chairman of the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers and Advisory Board representative; Amy Palmer, secretary of the Advisory Board and Clearwater Extension Homemakers; and Linda Gramlich, Advisory Board representative and secretary of the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers, have voted to expand the program again next year. The group plans to have eight additional boxes built, bringing the total to 24 for the 2014 season.

To learn more about the program see the display poster at the Cooperative Extension Booth at the Farmington Fair from Sept. 15-21 inside the Agriculture Building. There will also be volunteer forms for anyone wishing to participate in the program next year to help recipients plant and maintain their gardens throughout the growing season.