Community garden is in its 11th year of providing food, knowledge and 'quality relationships' for Midway

John Davis worked in the garden Saturday.

Story and photos by Sarah Ladd

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Members of the Midway community met Saturday to continue planting tomatoes and peppers in the Community Garden on the grounds of Midway Presbyterian Church at 103 N. Turner St.

The garden is starting its 11th year of providing a free planting space, food and agricultural education for the Midway public. According to its Facebook page, its official mission is "To educate, to encourage and to support our community with quality food, quality relationships and quality knowledge about nature and nutrition."

John Davis, who has been involved with the garden since its beginning in 2008, said it originally only had two rows of vegetables. With more volunteers and space, it now has five long rows with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, beets, carrots, okra, potatoes, radishes, cabbage, garlic, onions, cucumbers, squash and kale. The space also has an herb garden and a pollinator garden designed to attract helpful insects with pollen and nectar.

Next to the garden the church has created a playground for children.

Davis said part of the garden’s beauty is its multiple facets. The church put in some playground equipment as well as a recycling bin. "You can bring your kids down here to play, and while they're playing, you can pick your dinner," he said.

Through the summer, children come to play on the swing set and pick cherry tomatoes on their way home, proving it is a way to teach them about raising their own food and taking care of agricultural life, Davis said. To protect the children, no pesticides are used on the plants.

"It's not just about the garden," Davis said. "It's the conversation! The goal is to have fun." With picnic tables, a sandbox, flowers and benches, the space is a welcoming place for neighbors to socialize.

Poles are ready for vines of green beans.

The garden is open to the community, with official work days each Saturday at 10 a.m. when volunteers weed and water the plants.

When harvest time comes, everyone who needs food may help themselves to the produce. Whatever is left is donated to the Woodford County Food Bank or to the free monthly community dinner at Midway Christian Church.

The Presbyterian Church and other donors in the community donate the plants and seeds for the garden each year. The church is selling T-shirts this year to raise money for the garden's increased expenses. For more information, email office@midwaypresbyterian.org or call 859-846-4751.