Plant a Row for the Hungry - Master Gardeners, Cobb County, Georgia

1. Master Gardener
Volunteers
of Cobb County
Plant-A-Row
Project
Project Location: Kennesaw Gardens, 3007 Cherokee St. Kennesaw, GA
Project Workday: Every Wednesday 9:00-11:00 A.M. (times may vary during the summer months)
Project Chair: Ken Johnson ( 770-977-3277)
Co-chairs: Amy Whitney (770-590-0813) ; Kim Baumert (770-794-5854)
During the 1990’s MGVOCC maintained a founding stake holders in development and
Demonstration Vegetable Garden located on County construction of Fountain Gate’s ambitious and well
Services Road. In 1999 this group changed their conceived project--- Fountain Gate Gardens.
garden focus and name to a Plant A Row for the
Hungry project under the banner and guidance of The objective of this four acre community garden is
The Garden Writers Association program of to use gardening and the garden’s planned facilities
gardeners growing and donating produce to help for their therapeutic benefits, to provide a location for
feed America’s hungry. In 2006 the PAR garden was the PAR garden, and to offer Cobb County Master
relocated to Kennesaw’s Smith-Gilbert Botanical Gardener gardening centered educational programs
Garden. With Smith- Gilbert’s 13 acres, ready water for community gardeners and for the general public.
supply, resources, and encouragement the garden These programs are conducted in the garden center
flourished, supplying 3,000 lbs of produce for the piece, a renovated 1880’s homestead.
hungry in the 2011 growing season alone.
With a new 5,000sqft garden, well laid out garden
However, for the 2012 season MGVOCC was forced beds fortified with many tons of mushroom compost,
to relocate again because Smith-Gilbert needed the well mulched pathways with a purpose, brand new
garden space for a new project of its own. The tools and tool shed, MGVOCC gardeners began the
timing was perfect as MGVOCC was able to partner 2012 season with new enthusiasm and high hopes
with Fountain Gate Life and Wellness as one of the for the future of donating fruits of their efforts to
Cobb County Center for Family Resources.
The PAR garden leaders and other volunteers all
enjoy the fun of gardening, the learning experiences
and fellowship it provides and the overall satisfaction
of providing food for those who really need and
appreciate it. As Fountain Gate Gardens develops,
Master Gardeners will also have the opportunity to
participate in the planning of the complete
community gardening area, children’s garden,
walking trails, and other garden features, and
facilities. The past was great, but the future is indeed
brighter yet for MGVOCC and their Plant A Row for
the Hungry project.
The mission of the MGVOCC is to advance the horticultural education and practices of its members
and to promote the knowledge of and interest in gardening to the members and to the public.
For more information contact Carolyn Gentry, Master Gardener Coordinator at the Cobb Extension. Phone: 770-528-4070