WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderProgram aims to grow the community through gardening

By Michael Peppers

ROCKFORD (WREX)

With spring just weeks away there are many itching green thumbs out there.

One program for local gardeners looks to help grow the Rockford community.  It's called "Seeds of Success." one of its goals is to provide fresh, locally grown food to areas with little access to it.

Rows of tomato plants at the Didier Greenhouse may not look like much to most people, but they are Cyndie Hall's favorite thing to plant.

"They've been growing for several weeks now," she says assessing the plants.

Hall is executive director for Rockford's Neighborhood Network and a master gardener for the city's community gardening program "Seeds of Success."

"You really don't need a green thumb to be part of the program," said Hall. "I think last year, we [donated] over 10,000 pounds of produce to area pantries."

This is the program's first meeting of the year. In addition to growing food for local pantries, organizers also want to teach people, especially kids, about where their food comes from.

"They learn that it doesn't come from their local food market but it could come from thousands of miles away and why it's better for them to raise it right in their own neighborhood and learn how to use it," said U of I Extension Master Gardener Jeff White.

Brad Roos has been involved with Seeds of Success for three years. He helps run a public garden with a church based group called Zion Development.

"When the neighbors come together and when the see each other and work together, that's always a positive thing," said Roos.

For other gardeners like Diane Johnson, helping people is one main reason she participates.

"There's a lot of need out there and I think we need to help people to get food into their homes and good food into their homes," said Diane Johnson.

The next Seeds of Success meeting is Thursday, February 23rd at the Ida Public Library in Belvidere. People can attend either the 11 a.m. 6 p.m. meeting. There is also one on Monday, February 27th at 555 North Church Street in Room NC115 East in the basement.  Each meeting is last about an hour and a half.