Through a unique
partnership with HealthLinc, the Duneland YMCA’s organic garden will help
feed hundreds of families this summer and help Y summer camp children
understand garden to fork. The garden originated when Y program staff
transformed an agriculture and nutrition lesson plan into a small working
garden. That year, day camp participants worked closely with Y staff in the
garden and the yield was sent home with day camp families and YMCA members.
Then, during a
routine partnership meeting, leaders from HealthLinc toured the garden and
shared a vision of providing fresh produce to their clients who didn’t have
necessary resources to purchase them. Last year, the new garden cooperative
with a generous sponsorship from HealthLinc began its outreach mission to
help others and hundreds of pounds of produce were shared with HealthLinc
clients.
Now in its third
year, the garden is bigger and better than ever. At Y Summer Camp this year,
kids get to choose which of six “Camp Clubs” they want to participate in
each week and several are very interested in the Gardening Club. The
curriculum includes learning how to plant, garden maintenance, harvesting,
pest control, healthy nutrition, and helping others. This year corn,
tomatoes, broccoli, peas, onions, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini,
spaghetti squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, green peppers, cauliflower,
lettuce, spinach, strawberries, rhubarb and herbs are growing in the garden.
“We’re fortunate to
have Sandy Strader tending the garden daily,” said Megan Sowers, Y School
Age Program Coordinator. “She loves gardening and helping educate youth
about the value of organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables.”
Strader has a long
history of working with kids and gardens. She and her husband were both
passionate gardeners. They taught their four kids about fresh produce in
their home garden. For several years she worked educating children at
Buckley Homestead, a living history farm in Lowell, IN. Sadly, two years ago
she lost her husband of 37 years and she was longing for another educational
opportunity to fill her time.
“I’m so blessed
that a Y staff person told me that the Duneland Y was looking for a Garden
Coordinator,” she said. “It was the answer to a prayer in my time of need. I
love being able to teach kids how to grow fruits and vegetables and
understand nutritional values. It’s even more exciting to know it will help
feed families in need. It’s a great feeling to help kids understand the
concept of giving back.”
Strader says the
kids ask amazing questions. They’re almost always surprised to find out that
the broccoli their parents buy at the grocery store originates from a seed
that’s been planted in the ground. It’s a difficult concept for some to
grasp, so it’s a good experience for them to watch the garden grow. One
young gardener asked her where the pasta plants were. Another child wanted
to know where the crouton aisle was so she could add them to the salad they
were eating from the garden.
Camp participant
Bobby said “I love the garden because I like to eat vegetables to keep me
healthy.” Sam liked working in the garden because she’s helping the
community.
So how does the
garden grow at the Duneland Y? With sincere thanks from our partner
HealthLinc, lots of planning and hard work on Sandy Strader’s part, and lots
of love and kindness provided by Gardening Club members. At the Y, healthy
living is so much more than working out Ð it also includes growing fresh
fruit and vegetables for those in need.
The Duneland Family
YMCA is at 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton. The Y has been serving the
Duneland community for more than fifty years, focusing on youth development,
healthy living, and social responsibility. To find out more about Y programs
and services, visit online at
www.dunelandymca.org or call 926-4204.