S. Winnie Brubach, facilities coordinator, and master gardener works with a group of volunteer gardeners to maintain 26 raised beds plus other plots of organic vegetables. Veggies include tomatoes, okra, many varieties of peppers, cabbage, beans, peas, lettuce, and kale. All harvested veggies are donated to the Good Samaritan Free Health Center of Price Hill. The garden usually yields between 800 to 1,000 pounds of produce each year.
The “Garden Ladies” of EarthConnection – June Greensmith, Diane Massa, Robin Boesken, Barbara Huber, and Marietta Bucalo – have raised 10,423 pounds of vegetables over the 11 seasons the garden has been in production. These vegetables have been donated to organizations that work with those who are underserved in the Cincinnati community: first Freestore Foodbank in Bond Hill, then St. Leo’s Food Pantry in North Fairmont and now Good Samaritan Free Health Center in Price Hill. The vegetables are grown organically; no genetically modified seeds in the 25 raised beds. The Garden Ladies have harvested in the pouring rain, the freezing cold and the blazing summer sun. They have been present to one another for family weddings and funerals and births of grandchildren. In short, they have become friends who support one another in life as well as in their common love of gardening. The Garden Ladies have built loving relationships, shared their resources and cared for creation.