Employees at the Stephens Federal Building in Athens, Georgia, celebrated the People's Garden planted in April with an educational lunch session in the garden.
Deborah Callahan of USDA Rural Development and a recent graduate of Georgia's Master Gardener program demonstrated composting and explained the function of red worms. Amanda Tedrow of Cooperative Extension Service answered questions about vegetable gardening. Kathy Peters A Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Earth Team volunteer was available to discuss plant propagation and distributing information on backyard conservation.
Mary Ann McQuinn of NRCS conducted informal tours of the gardens, including the native plant demonstration garden, an herb garden, a pollinator garden and a vegetable garden. Plants are now labeled and accessible to the public.
The People's Gardens were an initiative of USDA and now exist in all 50 states, two U.S. territories, and three foreign countries. The Athens garden is the only one in Georgia. Vegetables from the garden have been donated to food banks and shelters.
Agencies participating include NRCS, Rural Development, Farm Services Agency, and Forest Service.
To find out more about the People’s Garden program, click here.
