FARMINGTON —  The Garden Angel Committee met recently to start planning for the 2015 growing season. As hard as it to believe under all of that snow there will soon be plants growing, and committee members are excitedly preparing for this annual event.

The intention of the “Garden Angel” program is to assist seniors, physically disabled, or low/fixed income people in Franklin County to enjoy the benefits of growing and eating fresh vegetables. Recipients are paired with volunteers who give advice on how to plant, maintain, and harvest their “box” gardens.

The project originated in 2012 under the direction of Susan Gill, Franklin County Cooperative Extension Executive Board regional representative and chairman of the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers. She requested assistance from fellow Extension members, Linda Myhaver from the Neighborhood Extension Homemakers, Amy Palmer from the Clearwater Extension Homemakers and advisory board secretary, and Linda Gramlich secretary of the North Chesterville Extension Homemakers and representative to the advisory board.

Additional assistance has been provided by Dave Fuller and Judy Smith, Franklin County Cooperative Extension professionals.

Founding volunteers Harvey Hayden, Bob Gramlich and Dan Palmer have been instrumental with the construction of the boxes, which are built with the assistance of 4H members, and also with acquiring soil, loam, compost, and then distributing the boxes to Garden Angel recipients.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can apply at the Franklin County Extension Office.

Currently, there are 24 boxes available for planting.

Applications for these boxes will be available on March 2 at various location throughout Franklin County, and at the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office, 38 Pleasant St., Farmington, ME, 04938.

For more information, or for an application, call the office 778-4650.

You may also contact Project Coordinator Sue Gill at 778-6978.

Applications are due back to the Extension Office by May 1. Everyone who applies will be notified by May 15 about acceptance to the program.

The Garden Angel Project is organized in partnership with the Maine Cooperative Extension.