Sisters of St. Joseph Community Garden Opportunities
As part of their mission to serve neighbors in need and in commitment to sustainable development, the Sisters of St. Joseph are accepting applicants for their newly expanded community gardens in Baden.
Miriam’s Garden and Elizabeth’s Garden offer raised beds that are located behind the Motherhouse and the former Mount Gallitzin Academy. Participants are able to supplement their food source with fresh produce as well as help the community by donating at least 20 pounds of their harvest to local food banks and soup kitchens.
The purpose of the garden is to:
- Provide space for senior citizens and economically challenged families and individuals to grow their own food;
- Provide hands-on agricultural training for schoolchildren and others who are interested in gardening;
- Provide fresh foods to local food banks and soup kitchens serving Beaver County.
“The Sisters of St.Joseph envision the gardens as a way to address local economic and food distribution issues, and provide an environment that can strengthen the health of the broader community,” said Sister Lyn Szymkiewicz, Director of Grounds and Eco-Projects.
Youth between the ages of 13-17 interested in gardening are eligible to participate in the Green Teens Mentoring Program. The program offers classroom and hands-on instruction by local farmers three hours a day, three days per week for a four-week period. Training sessions will involve soil preparation, planting, weeding, pest management and composting.
For information about reserving a community garden plot or participating in the Green Teens Mentoring Program, please contact Sister Lyn Szymkiewicz at (724) 869-2151 ext. 6285 or e-mail lynszym@stjoseph-baden.org.
________________________________________________________________________
For more information about this news release, please contact Barbara Hecht,
Director of Communications for the Sisters of St. Joseph,
at (724) 869-6566 or bhecht@stjoseph-baden.org.