By Marné Deranger
The Master Gardeners of Natchitoches Parish had a guest speaker at their monthly meeting in November. Frances Boudreaux, Director of the Good Food Project of the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, gave an informative update on their activities.
According to Boudreaux, Natchitoches Parish is making great strides. She and Donna Capps, Development Manager, were happy to tell the group about the area schools they partner with – they have raised beds installed at five Natchitoches Parish schools and the Natchitoches Boy & Girls Club. Their sustainable gardening approach is especially helpful when teaching children how to grow their own food. Their goal is to change the cultural norms about what youth eat and to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by children. The Good Food Project also partnered to help install raised garden beds, complete with seeds and all-natural soil amendments at the Natchitoches Parish Council on Aging – beds that the Master Gardeners help maintain.
The Project is always looking for partners ready to help in the Food Bank’s 11-Parish service area. Local businesses who would like to donate tools, supplies, seeds, or funds are welcome, as are all volunteer efforts. Experience is not necessary, only enthusiasm is. Join them for Workday Wednesdays from 7:30 -11:30 am in the demonstration garden or call to schedule a volunteer time at a community partner garden. Activities performed by volunteers include weeding, watering, planting, harvesting, assisting with youth-centered garden activities, and serving as community garden leaders.
For more information on the Good Food Project, call 318-445-2773 or stop by their demonstration garden at 3223 Baldwin Avenue, Alexandria. For more information on Master Gardener activities or for daily tips on North Louisiana gardening, go to https://www.facebook.com/NatchitochesMasterGardener/
Pictured above are Robert Bamberg, Deborah Bechtel, Kathy Karnolt, Donna Capps, Glennelle Brown, Frances Boudreaux, Ruth Anderson, Elizabeth Richey, Mary Fosson, Mike Pierce, Maye Foster and Linda Cox.