Resident, organization planting the seeds of a community garden
By Karen Mann JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT

Kim Blanchard

Kim Blanchard has been farming organically on her 10,000 square foot farm in Ashburnham for the past ten years.

"It takes a lot of work to grow an organic garden, 10,000 square feet takes a lot of manpower," said Blanchard, a former trustee at ARC Community Services.

Blanchard and ARC's Chief Executive Officer Terry Kennedy have found a way to give back to the community while offering ARC clients a new experience and a chance to get outside this summer.

A community gardening project.

"It is a fun and productive project," Kennedy said. "It gives the people we support here a chance to get out into the community and do things they might not normally do."

ARC Community Services, Inc., founded in 1952, is a non-profit organization providing services to individuals who need special assistance in the areas of employment training, job placement, alternative day programs for adults where employment is not feasible, elderly services, summer enrichment programs, community inclusion programs, and recreational/ social activities. The organization also provides family support and information services.

Blanchard will allow the clients and staff to take home what they grow on the farm.

"For the clients, to plant, pick, and watch things grow, there is an innate pleasure "For the clients, to plant,

pick, and watch things grow, there is an innate

pleasure in that.

There is also joy in eating what you grow."

- KIM BLANCHARD in that. There is also joy in eating what you grow," said Blanchard. "For the staff, many of them are severely underpaid. For them to get fresh food and bring it to their family is great. There is pride in that."

Blanchard also hopes to involve people who work at one non-profit with those from another non-profit.

She has been donating her surplus food to area food banks, such as Ginny's Helping Hand Inc., or the local senior citizen centers.

"I eat out of my garden, in the summer that is how I feed my family. But I do not freeze or can anything. So the surplus I have been giving away for a while. I give it to places where they would not get fresh vegetables," said Blanchard.

Ginny White, owner of the thrift shop in Leominster, says she receives produce from Blanchard during August and September. She sets up a table outside of her store, so her clients can take what they want for free.

"I think it is awesome what they do," said White. "People call and ask when it is coming."

If she then has leftovers, she brings it to senior citizen facilities in Leominster.

Blanchard hoes this project can be a wonderful model in terms of volunteerism.

"I want to create a collaborative environment through community gardening," said Blanchard.

Kennedy wants the ARC to be a nonprofit organization that gives back to the community it draws so much from.

"We as an organization are supported by the community. It is really important that we give back," Kennedy said.

So far this season, Blanchard has already planted crops, such as lettuce, radish and beets.

"I wanted to put some of the things in that come up quickly, because it will be nice for the clients to come up here and see stuff growing," Blanchard said.

The clients and staff from ARC that participate can chose to either maintain some of these crops or put in new ones. Blanchard said for those that cannot get in the dirt, but want to be involved, picnic tables will be set up so they can clean or bag vegetables, or just sit and watch.

Blanchard is still working to make the land handicap accessible for the clients.

Kennedy anticipates having 30-50 participants.

"It gets everyone involved. Our folks can fit in wherever they feel they can fit in," said Cheryl Robillard, operations director for day services at ARC.

She said the clients and staff members are already getting excited about the project.

"The clients are excited about it, they can't wait to see the end products," said Robillard.

Blanchard and Kennedy hope to start work on the garden in the next few weeks.