Volunteerism is a huge component of the Master Gardener program. And today, I got my first taste.
On the second day of March, the Giving Garden is definitely in transition, but that doesn't mean there's a shortage of things to be done. Me and a couple of my WCGMA intern friends spent a few hours turning over a pair of raised beds. We weeded and shoveled under the cover crops, mixed in some Black Kow composted manure, and covered it all up with straw.
The Giving Garden at Franklin First UMC from Franklin First UMC on Vimeo.
The Williamson County Master Gardener Association has multiple, officially-sanctioned volunteer opportunities spread across the area. The one that seems to need the most hands most of the time is the Giving Garden.
Franklin's Giving Garden is on the property of Franklin First United Methodist Church and it donates produce back to the community to the tune of 20 *TONS* a year. They also do cut flowers and herbs. For me, the Giving Garden is the perfect WCMGA opportunity because it's just down the street on Mack Hatcher Parkway.
The Giving Garden was also busy with other groups -- they had a church group helping to clean up the stream area after the recent flooding, and they had a group of Girl Scouts who were also turning a bed. When the Girl Scouts were leaving, I was reminded of the reason why programs like the Master Gardener and places like the Giving Garden are so important. As they were leaving the garden beds and running to meet their parents, several of the Girl Scouts proudly exclaimed, "They let me keep some KALE!" Nevermind that the kale was just a cover crop (or that it's KALE), these Girl Scouts were ecstatic to show off the "veggies of their labor" and proud of what they had accomplished. It was really fulfilling to hear that kind of excitement.
In all, we have to log 40 hours of officially-sanctioned volunteerism during our WCGMA Intern year. I'll definitely be back in the Giving Garden. I just hope the sun will be out next time.
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