Growing Growing Vegetables To Meet Vegetables To Meet Local Needs - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Growing Growing Vegetables To Meet Vegetables To Meet Local Needs Local Needs Duwayne Sipper The Path Shelter

Growing Vegetables in Florida Statewide there are more than I million vegetable gardens averaging 300 ft2 with a retail value of $300.

Why Grow Vegetables? • An American Tradition • Good exercise • Therapeutic • Healthy • Vegetables taste better than those purchased at grocery stores

Why Grow Vegetables? • Freshness & quality • Nutrition • Do you know where your food comes from? • Add variety and flavor

Growing Vegetables To Meet Community Needs A goal of the agriculture community is to help: – address the food needs and wants of Citrus County – bring nutritious food directly to people – green concept of growing and distributing locally

The Path Shelter PATH FARM & Nursery • Uses church property to grow crops to feed the homeless and for sale plants to finance a shelter.

The Path Shelter Program Goal To develop a sustainable farm by evaluating current environment-friendly farming methods to increase organic crop yields, and improving distribution to the organizations that focus on feeding programs in Citrus County.

The Path Shelter • The Path provides local food relief through a farm project, "Harvest Hope" by supplying fresh fruits and vegetables grown organically.

Organic Vegetable Gardening • Based on building soil using organic matter • Manures • Compost • Choose Resistant Varieties • Natural Products

Garden Site Location • Located on 10 acres of land • Hernando Nazarene Church 2101 N. Florida Avenue (Hwy 41) Hernando, FL 34442

Selecting Garden Varieties Select crop varieties according to season. Warm weather crops can be started between January and March • Squash Corn • Eggplant Okra • Beans Cantaloupes • Pumpkins Tomatoes • Cucumbers Watermelon • Southern Peas Peppers • Sweet Potatoes •

Selecting Garden Varieties Fall Vegetable Gardening – Sept to Oct. • Cool-season vegetables include: – Leafy-green vegetables such as cabbage, collards and spinach. – Radishes – Beets – Carrots – Broccoli

Garden Site Preparation • Good soil preparation is essential for growing vegetable crops. • Plow or spade in either the fall or spring. • Incorporate organic matter into the soil

Planting • Sow seeds or plant seedlings and mark the row • Irrigation the site • To prevent weeds mulch the beds with leaves, pine straw, old hay.

Harvesting Your Crop • Great flavor isn’t a simple matter of size or color. • Without the right combination of soil, sun and water many vegetables can vary greatly in taste and performance.

Market and Promotion • Local business buys a portion of the crop and sells at local produce market.

Citrus County Residents Served The Path sheltered over 100 men, women and children and fed over 10,000 meals at the shelter alone.

Citrus County Residents Served • The Path spearheaded an exchange of organic produce for the goods trucked in by “We Care Food Pantry” • Organized by The Homosassa civic group. • Distributes food to approximately 2,500 individuals every month.

Citrus County Residents Served • Surplus crops are also distributed to other churches and food distribution programs.

Citrus County Residents Served • The Path is now partnering with several businesses, including The Farmer's Market, Mango's Grill in Citrus Springs, and WTI. • Proceeds help with farm expenses and support the program.

Citrus County Residents Served • The Path even supplied bok choi to the manatees at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park!

Community Partnerships Needed • Volunteer skills in farming, master gardener, especially needed • Arrange to buy/sell farm and nursery produce, or become a distributor • Become a nursery donor by purchasing seedlings

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Growing Growing Vegetables To Meet Vegetables To Meet Local Needs Local Needs Duwayne Sipper The Path Shelter