DEE DUDERSTADT

Of the News-Register

When coordinator Jan Noland envisions this year's McMinnville Community Garden, she envisions opportunities to build trust, faith and sharing.

The garden, managed by The Salvation Army, is preparing for its third planting season. Planting will be carried out in work sessions slated for this Saturday and next, May 7 and 14.

The garden provides a place where families in need can grow some of their own food. The program also provides training on food preservation techniques like canning, through a partnership with the Oregon State University Extension Service.

Noland said there's much interest in self-sustaining practices. She has been approached by families asking for demonstrations in areas such as blanching vegetables in preparation for preservation and drying.

"They are really interested in doing this for their families," she said.

Noland said the garden is open to everyone. No one who is in need will be turned away.

"We have about a third (holdover) families and the other two-thirds are new," she said. "We have room for a lot more people. We have families as well as some single parents."

The garden space can accommodate 25 to 30 individual plots. Seeds and bedding plants are provided by donors, as are water, soil, fertilizer, tilling services, water lines, garden tools and canning supplies.

The garden receives support from local businesses and individuals in several forms - cash, labor, supplies and equipment. Many of the gardeners have been referred to the project by local service agencies.

This year, Noland has tried to broaden the range of the program so that it might reach more of those in need. "We've done more agency outreach," she said.

The Salvation Army has promoted the garden through the McMinnville Senior Center, Virginia Garcia Clinic, WIC office, Public Health Office and other venues. Its goal is to feed as many people as possible.

"We are being flexible with the amount of space that families need," Noland noted.

A church youth group will tend one plot this year. It plans to donate all the proceeds from its effort to the Yamhill County Food Bank.

That's a new development, which the agency is encouraging.

Participating gardeners are expected to plant, maintain and harvest their own plots, and help with some shared community plots. They are asked to contribute a portion of their harvest to the local food bank, but get to keep the bulk of it for family use.

Applications for the 2005 garden are still being accepted. Interested gardeners may stop by The Salvation Army office at 1950 S. W. Second St. to pick up an application.

For more information, call 503-472-1009 or 503-474-0674.