Growing in all directions
County partnerships create garden that invests in future
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The Clinton County United Way sells produce grown in the garden during the Market on Main Street in Lock Haven.
A large plot of land next to the Clinton County Conservation District is a physical representation of that growth.
Tomato plants that stand four feet high, expansive squash and pumpkin plants, many with vegetables ripe for the picking and more can be seen in the neatly kept garden. Conservation District Manager Wade Jodun says the garden includes tomatoes, radishes, beets, turnips, red potatoes, russet potatoes, red onions, sweet white onions, string beans, zucchini, squash, sweet corn, celery, basil, hot peppers and pumpkins.
The conservation district provided the land, donated seeds and the occasional help picking products. However, employees aren't solely in charge of the garden.
Larisha Williamson from the county's adult probation office brings both adult and juveniles to the space at least two days a week to pull weeds, pick vegetables, water plants and keep the area tidy. Williamson explained individuals participate as a way to complete community service hours.
The idea to create this garden came from an initiative supported by President Judge Craig Miller.
With help from conservation board member and Commissioner Angela Harding, Jodun and Williamson were able to create a plan for the proposed garden.
Miller presented a statement on behalf of the Clinton County Courts which said:
"The Court would like to thank Wade Jodun and the Clinton County Conservation District for their support and great work in this partnership. Juveniles who are under the supervision of the Juvenile Probation Department participate in this project and are able to engage in planting these vegetables and watch what was planted grow to feed needy people. It is a valuable experience for these young men and women."
The statement further commended the commissioners, conservation district and probation office for their support and assistance.
"Finally, Adult Probation Officer Larisha Williamson is the Community Service Coordinator of the Probation Office and spends many hours coordinating these types of community service projects and receives little thanks and appreciation," the statement continues. "Larisha has accomplished a great deal in this position and her work mostly goes unnoticed. It is nice to see this project be noticed."
Jodun hopes the garden will have an impact on juveniles participating in community service.
"The reason for planting the garden was because it represents an investment - an investment in change and an investment in the future of Clinton County," Jodun said.
Jodun, who has spent nearly 25 years in conservation, said one thing he's learn is that you can't regulate your way to change.
"Regulations, policy and laws are important but true change, lasting change, comes through changing people's attitudes -- changing their hearts and minds," he said.
Jodun explained that the mission of the conservation district is youth education and public outreach. He noted that it can difficult to teach conservation ethics to kids inside and on a cellphone screen.
The garden gives kids, and adults alike, the opportunity to learn about conversation and agriculture and see a new perspective.
"If the time in this garden serves as a seed that grows into a lifetime conservation ethic for just one of these kids, or results in just one of these kids choosing a career in farming, then it's all worth it," Jodun said. "This garden is an educational tool and an investment in our collective future."
Since the program began this spring, Williamson said that many who help take care of the garden are amazed at its progress.
"There are some that are a little bit taken back. Mainly the adults who have seen a good amount of the growth," Williamson said. "Some of them will say 'I wish I'd planted that.'"
Williamson said three to nine adults or juveniles come to the garden two days a week to help care for the garden. Jodun and other volunteers also keep an eye on the 1/3 acre plot of land.
Helping the community doesn't stop when the produce is picked. All the vegetables grown at the garden are donated to the Clinton County United Way and sold at the Market Village on Main, held on Saturdays in downtown Lock Haven.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with all these agencies," Ben Green, executive director for CCUW, said.
Green said the goal of the United Way is to "improve the health, education, and financial stability of the residents of Clinton County." Partnering with the conservation district, probation department and court system is doing just that.
"The United Way will be selling this donated produce at the Market on Main in downtown Lock Haven about every other Saturday, subject to when the produce is harvested," Green said. "The sales will go directly to support the mission of the United Way and our 13 partner agencies that make a direct impact on the lives of Clinton County residents."
Green noted, the United Way will be accepting SNAP payments in partnership with the city of Lock Haven during the market.
Jodun credits Harding for the success of this new program.
"None of this happens without the efforts of Commissioner Harding who opened the channels of communication between the conservation district, the office of probation and the United Way. None of it is possible without these partnerships," he said.
"I truly believe this is what success looks like," Harding told The Express. She noted the collaboration and cooperation between each government agency is what created a positive outcome.
Harding added she is excited for the possibilities this program opens up.
"This is the first annual so I'm wondering how can we develop this and get more people involved," she said.
Another county department has become involved in its own way.
Wendy Lupold, a School Outreach worker with Clinton County Children and Youth, worked with Jodun to allow her students to use a portion of the garden.
Lupold said the Student Outreach Program is to "provide preventative and supportive services to students and their families within the Keystone Central School District."
The program provides short-term intervention for students and their families to alleviate barriers affecting a student's academic and overall potential.
The program has been using a 4×8 feet raised garden bed at the Piper Building to teach in a hands on fashion.
"While we planted a really nice 4×8 raised garden bed at the Piper Building, the opportunity to plant 33 mounds of pumpkins and a long row of zucchini and yellow summer squash was welcomed," Lupold said.
Lupold said this gave students the opportunity to not only plant something they were unable to do at the Piper Building, it's been beneficial in their learning.
"This gardening experience has been extremely beneficial; giving the students the opportunity to get their hands in the soul, to learn how to plant crops and to see where food comes from s well as how plants grow and the care they require," Lupold said.
Lupold said they plan to harvest and cook the vegetables for kids to take home to their families.
The activity helps develop and interest in conversation and agriculture that the students can take home with them or even make a career from, she said.
With the collaboration of county departments that may not often interact, a new program has grown -- like the plants in its garden -- into a program which gives back to the community in a multitude of ways.