27 Apr 2013 Garden shows value of fresh vegetables
by Jan Spann
What started as a competition between the three Conway colleges soon became a collaboration known as the Faulkner County Urban Farming Project.
On the backgrounds of the Faulkner County Library Conway branch, the workers have built a greenhouse, a three-bin compost system and picnic tables in addition to the garden plot.
At 4:30 p.m. every Thursday and Sunday, workers drive, bike and walk to participate in weeding, tilling, planting and harvesting the garden.
“Visiting UCA (University of Central Arkansas) professor Dr. Jock Pollini was instrumental in implementing the demonstration garden,” said Cliff Beacham, a sociology professor at UCA. “On a workday, we’ll have between four and 20 people in the garden.”
Beacham and Alicia Allen are the co-leaders of the FC Urban Farm Project, which started four years ago.
Beacham has gardened his whole life because of an interest in what we eat and the lack of available organic produce. The college students interviewed at the garden have various reasons for their commitment to the work.
Hendrix College sophomore Mallory Glick said she’s a believer in sustainable and organic agriculture, and she noted she is also building muscles. Hendrix seniors Emily Dietchler from Eureka Springs and Liz Elmore from North Carolina started working in the garden three and four years ago, respectively. Both are biology majors and say the work is a break from studies, and it just feels good to work in the dirt.
Jennifer Speaks, a sociology major at UCA, started in the garden last summer when the plants needed water and most students were on summer break. Thanks to a rainwater irrigation system, this chore will not be as crucial. Last fall, the farmers successfully raised $5,000 to fund the 2,000-gallon water collection barrel.
The organization hosts Urban Farm Fest at the library in the fall, and you can learn more on its website (fcurbanfarmproject.org) or find them on Facebook.
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, the library sponsors its annual Backyard Gourmet, where restaurants like Oak Street Bistro and local chefs prepare samples, including some from the FCUFM garden. You can also enjoy live music.
The garden grows the basic 15 veggie staples instead of exotic or heirloom varieties because the majority of the produce is donated to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry. This gift of garden goodness is a welcome addition to the pantry’s shelves.
It’s nice to see these young students digging in to learn about organic gardening while helping others.
A Conway resident, Jan Spann has been gardening for 20-plus years and has been involved with the Faulkner County Master Gardeners for 11 years. She and her husband, Randy, have five children and eight grandchildren.
