Community Garden grows on DeFuniak(PHOTOS)

DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — There’s nothing like planting a garden and seeing the hard work pay off in the form of green leaves sitting in rows.
DeFuniak Springs’ Hometown Community Garden offers that along with experienced gardeners to work beside, tools and the land in the community garden.

“Nothing taste as good as freshly grown vegetables,” said Kendra Zamojski with the University of Florida’s Walton County extension program. “We want to work with youth clubs, with senior groups and clubs and community groups on the science of growing.”

From potatoes to arugula, last year the group of around 15 volunteers grew around 600 pounds of vegetables; half was donated to a local food pantry and the other half shared among the volunteers.

The garden, located on the corner of 12th Street and Main Street, began in 2009 with a group of interested gardeners clearing the land, preparing the soil and planting the seeds.

The Whitaker family headed up the effort and hopes in its second year that the garden will have more eager gardeners volunteering their time.

“It’s good for children to get their hands dirty,” said Jamie Whitaker who, along with her family, prepared the garden in October for the winter harvest. “It’s exciting to see something you planted grow and getting to eat it.”
Her sister, Annie Whitaker, pointed out various salad greens, all popping up side-by-side in the garden.

“It’s really relaxing watching plants grow,” she said. “But we need more participation.”

According to Zamojski, working with the community garden not only results in homegrown food, but participants get exercise, improve nutrition and have fun.

“It brings the community together,” she said. “By being a part of seeing your labor payoff together you grow closer.”

For questions or to get involved, call the Walton County extension office at 892-9082 or 892-8172.

“It takes a lot of work to garden,” Annie said. “But it’s worth the time to do it.”

To see more photos of the garden, click here.