The garden along the road was developed
and planted in the spring of 2019.
In the fall of 2019, a larger plot of ground was plowed
at the north end of the church property.
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New Holland Mennonite Church has a significant connection to the local community through its Early Learning Center which provides childcare for 100 children 6 weeks to 12 years of age. The local community has a 47% poverty rate for children and their families. The congregation has long talked about using some of the church property to create a community garden to help feed the hungry families of this area. During the fall of 2018 the church decided to move ahead with this vision and plowed up 11,000 sq feet of the front yard to grow organic food. In the fall of 2019, an even larger plot of ground was plowed at the north end of the church property.
The intent is to provide food for lunches at the Early Learning Center, educational opportunities for the children to grow their own food and to assist/mentor/equip their parents in growing food for their families. Since this is more than the families at the Learning Center can use, additional food is donated to CrossNet Ministries (social service/food bank agency in town) to provide them with additional fresh vegetables over the summer months. In 2019, 6,200 lbs. of food was grown.
The project is led by a garden committee consisting of master gardeners, an organic farmer, social workers, and elementary teachers from four different congregations and the local community. A volunteer coordinator helps to organize volunteers who plant, weed, and harvest the food.
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Volunteers Needed
Send an email to New Holland Mennonite Church to have your name added to the volunteer list.
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2020: NHELC Harvests Sprouts For Peace
