As a recent transplant from the mid-west, I was raised in the heart of land cultivation aka farming. We learned about the responsibilities and rewards associated with caring for a garden, and a lot of our family’s produce came from our own backyard. This morning I had the opportunity to witness sustainability in a different light at Midtown’s own Community Table Garden.
The garden on Madison.
Sarah, from Gaia Movement Memphis, met me bright and early at the lot-turned-garden where she is the project manager. We walked me through the garden highlighting the plots with an abundant overflow of produce, as well as the plots that were winding down after a successful season of giving. This is, simply put, a labor of love. There is a continuous flow of seasonal produce and with that, constant upkeep required in the garden. Sarah explained that last week they pulled summer crops to begin transplanting crops for fall and winter weather.
Today’s seasonal task at hand: sunflowers. Flourishing in the summer, their time had come to an end and we were going to uproot the plants and harvest the seeds. Sarah and I cut down each plant one by one while discussing her role with Gaia. Gaia is an international organization that works to create examples of sustainability combined with economic development and social responsibility. The Community Table Garden is just one of those moving pieces. They also have clothing donation centers set up throughout Memphis where individuals may donate used clothing to be reworn, reused, or recycled.
Green donation boxes located throughout Memphis.
As I plucked every individual seeds from the huge flower, I couldn’t help but think of how many seeds I’ve chewed through sitting in a single baseball game. I will never take that for granted again, as this was no simple harvest! Sarah explained that once the food is transported to the local food bank, a variety of agencies may benefit from the donated produce. I thought back to times I had volunteered at a local food pantry in college, and the lack of fresh produce. While food might be available, there is a lack in nutritious and fresh options. Community Table Garden is part of the solution for the malnourishment those in poverty face daily.
Harvesting the HUGE sunflowers.
My final task for the morning was to plant beets and cabbage in a single plot for the fall. As I laid the seeds, I imagined the different uses for either crop once they were fully developed. Getting my hands dirty in the garden this morning was an ideal volunteer fit for me, and provided a connection to home. I look forward to seeing where the rest of my odyssey will take me this week and the different memories or emotions they may evoke.
Catch you in a few weeks, cabbage and beets!
Thank you for reading! Like what you read? Megan Banaszek is searching for a job in the non-profit sector where she can use her Family Services degree and public service experience to make a positive impact in Memphis. …. Contact her at meganbanaszek0123@gmail.com or jobleads@volunteerodyssey.com.
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