The roots of GRuB are grounded deep and strong in the Kitchen Garden Project, a program that has provided free raised garden beds, seeds, starts, growing guides and access to workshops and a support team, to food-insecure residents of Thurston and Mason counties for more than a dozen years. In that time, over 2000 gardens have been installed, consisting of three 4×8 boxes, a trellis and soil.
This winter, the program underwent some changes. Primarily, the program merged with another program serving veterans on their journey returning to life as a civilian. Now, a large number of the volunteer builders are veterans, who, by getting their hands in the soil, are supported in healing from PTSD among other afflictions. With these changes came a change of name as well— now the Victory Garden Project (VGP).
Part of my internship hours have been dedicated to lead building for some of the 60+ gardens installed this spring. Serving the community, working alongside them on these garden builds. One of the builds from this year, I completed with just one other volunteer veteran. Normally a team of three to five people (or eight when the youth rotate into two builds a week) work for about two to three hours, hammering the boards together, building the trellis, shoveling, wheelbarrowing, and raking two cubic yards of soil into place. With just two folks, the task becomes a feat, especially when the soil has turned to mud with the weight of the heavy spring rains. After almost four hours of hard work, we collapsed exhausted back into the seats of the dump truck lovingly known as “The Beast”.
For the past eleven years, there has been a day in May on which between eight and twelve gardens are built in a single afternoon, with the help of volunteer teams. This event, called May There Be Gardens, is a fundraising event for the VGP program. This year, nine teams came out to GRuB for the event. We begin with a light breakfast and gather in a circle for a check-in and game. Connections were made right from the start, as we were challenged to find something in common with one person and link arms, then find another group to connect with. Two becomes four, four becomes eight and so on, until the whole group is able to link arms and recognize we all share a common thread— this was, to everyone’s amusement, wearing shoes!
The rest of the day went by in a flash, as groups shuttled off to their build sites to get to work. I was paired with a team from WSECU and a floating volunteer. We were to install a woman’s 3rd GRuB garden. (Every few years a person may reapply). I could tell this woman loved her garden very much. She was outside when we arrived, weeding and raking the spot we were to lay the beds. Two of the volunteers and myself began nailing the beds together, and the trellis as well. The other floating volunteer and the homeowner work together to finish weeding, having a lovely conversation and by the end of the afternoon were exchanging contact information. After a few hours and many loads of dirt, we finished up our work. The grandchildren came out to enjoy the fresh dirt and excited atmosphere. It was beautiful to witness the transformation and the intimate connections made over only a few hours.
Upon returning to GRuB, there was a celebration in full force. Live bluegrass music, a barbecue buffet and full round of applause for us new incomers. I posted up in the sun with a full plate and some lemonade, resting my body and swapping stories. Energies were high and there certainly was lots to celebrate. Another successful year, a new spring, another round of gardeners fully equipped to grow their own food, and wonderful volunteer and community involvement to make it all happen. GRuB staff utilize this time to show gratitude to the community that holds and supports them so magnificently.
It has been a blessing this season to continue to support VGP, work alongside inspiring staff members, and get to know the volunteers I work with. It is a humbling experience to be thrown into a team environment, often with complete strangers, and go from a polite “hello” to a hug and a “see you soon” all while completely changing a persons’ yard. It goes beyond just the yard too, peoples lives are changed as they receive this gift. Families work together in their garden, nurture their plants, practicing patience and discipline as the nutrients collect into edible goodness. These transformations are powerful experiences to share, and treasures to behold.
Be First to Comment