Bell Rogers and Emma Fleshner load up a truck with fresh picked vegetables ready to take to the Northeast Iowa Foodbank. Rogers and Fleshner are members of the T-55 FFA Chapter and they assist with the St. Gabriel garden. Photo Provided

Five years ago, Holy Family Parish-St Gabriel Churchl parishioners started a small project which has now turned into 2000 pounds of vegetables harvested in the past year.

Brenda Davis is a member of Holy Family Parish-St. Gabriel’s Church. Davis along with under 10 others from the church maintain the 300 x 30 foot garden located at the intersection of T55 and Zaneta Road

Now they have help from the Gladbrook-Reinbeck and Dike-New Hartford FFA Chapter, T-55.

The T-55 Chapter is taught by Hunter Hamilton. Hamilton is from southern Iowa and grew up a town kid. He worked on produce farms and learned first hand there are lots of benefits from the hard work.

Hamilton graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Agriculture Education. He just completed his first year of teaching.

Emma Fleshner and Haven Cross pictured working in the garden this spring. Fleshner and Cross are members of the T-55 FFA Chapter. Photo Provided

“It’s been an unforgettable year,” Hamilton said referring to COVID-19. “It wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t challenging.

Hamilton teaches at DNH in the mornings and GR in the afternoons.

“I think the garden is a great project and one we hope to continue,” Hamilton said.

Work on the garden begins in May and goes through October. Vegetables planted include onions, green beans, jalapeno, bell peppers, cabbage, tomatoes and squash.

“People love it and can learn because there are always people to help,” Davis said.

Bret Fischer, Lindsey Fischer, Emma Fleshner, Bell Rogers and Haven Cross are members of the T-55 FFA Chapter who work on the garden. Photo Provided

The biggest challenge is keeping pesky bugs at bay. Through time and experience those who help have learned certain veggies do better and are more adaptable than others.

It took a day to plant the vegetables. Volunteers also weed and harvest the garden. Once harvested vegetables are taken to the Northeast Iowa Foodbank.

“It’s a worthwhile project and it’s serving a need,” Davis said.

If anyone is interested in helping they can contact Davis at 319-345-2006.

A view of the St. Gabriel garden from earlier this spring. Photo Provided