U of MN Extension-Planting the Seed Early Program and the Perham Food Shelf

In the spring of 1997, Marilyn Hofland, a Nutrition Education Assistant who works in East Otter Tail County, began looking for a location to start a community garden. When Marilyn mentioned her search to the Perham Food Shelf Director, it was suggested she take a look at the open lot next to the food shelf building.

Marilyn took the advice and with a garden tiller borrowed from a garden program of the local Community Action Program, tools from home, and a small budget towards seed and plants, the first Perham Community Garden was planted. That first summer, five participants and their children gardened on a regular basis, with many families picking and taking home excess produce.

The next year, Marilyn received a National Gardening Association’s Youth Garden Grant, which supplied the garden with much of the tools that are still being used to this day. That same year, a local church donated money towards a shed to house tools and supplies and the city helped add a second water spigot. Today, a second garden has been added and stands in back of the building, being sectioned off into ‘family plots’.

Planting the Seed Early participants and their families take ownership of a 10 × 10 plot, care for it and keep all produce raised. One plot still belongs to Marilyn and she uses all of the produce in classes at food shelves and for summer programming.

When working with food shelf clients, Marilyn uses the garden to emphasize the significance of including fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet and the different produce available during changing seasons. Most importantly, Marilyn works to instill a feeling of accomplishment and empowerment to participants for growing food that will help feed their families.

For more information on the Planting the Seed Early program or the Nutrition Education Program near you, go to www.extension.umn.edu/Nutrition, or call your University of Minnesota Extension office and ask to speak to a Nutrition Education Assistant.