JAY — Members of the Spruce Mountain High School Chapter of the National Honor Society recently gathered to plant the Tri-Town Community Garden.

Planted were 48 tomato plants, 72 cucumber plants, 36 squash plants and over 100 bush bean plants. Group members expect the garden to yield over 100 pounds of vegetables this summer.

All of the yield is donated to the Tri-Town Ministerial Food Cupboard, which recently moved to Knights of Columbus. Since its founding, the garden has donated more than 350 pounds of fresh produce.

The garden was started in 2012 by then seventh-grade student Trevor Doiron. Doiron is currently in eleventh grade and serves as president of the National Honor Society chapter.

Last March the group voted to accept responsibility for the garden in an effort to ensure success for many years to come. Doiron will still be involved with the garden, but in less of a leadership role than in previous years.

“When I established this garden four years ago, I always knew a time would come that I would have to find someone else to take over for me. At the time I didn’t know who that would be. NHS is a group structured on service and giving back, so it only seemed fit I hand it off to them,” he said.

Doiron appointed Vice President Rylee Saunders to lead a seven-member board of directors, comprised of NHS members. The board will make all future business decisions regarding the garden.

“I still have a year left with the garden, but by starting the transition process now it will allow the next generation to gain experience with me still around to help guide them. I am confident Rylee and the new board will do great with the garden and I’m excited to see where they take it,” Doiron said.