Community members work in last year’s garden.

This year the FFA has gained increased support for their popular Community Garden Project. Gary Mills, President of Grand Arbor number 733, a community service organization sponsored by the Gleaner Life Insurance Society, informed Nate Schoen, Local FFA Vice President, that the organization was honoring the FFA project with a $1,000 grant. Under this program community members can utilize 20’ x 20’ garden plots to grow vegetables, fruit, and even flowers.

FFA advisor Larry Reyburn was pleased to announce that this grant would allow the organization to drop the $20 fee normally charged for the use of a plot. The preparation of the plots is performed by Agriscience students and FFA members.

“We hope to be able to supply many free transplants for the plots as well, and the seedlings are to be grown in the High School Plant Science class. We provide hand tools, and we rototill the gardens for community member before they take over. White Creek Lumber has been kind enough to donate the use of a tiller each year, and this year we hope to be able to purchase one of our own,” Reyburn added. Another big help has come from the area Fire Departments, who take turns filling the water tank used on the gardens.

Any member of the community that is interested in having their own plot should contact Reyburn at the high school by phone at 616-696-1200 extension 6131, or by email at Larry.Reyburn@csredhawks.org. For over 70 years the FFA at Cedar has focused on serving others and developing its member’s leadership and personal growth.