Plant A Row for the Hungry Program has another successful year!
November 14, 2022 - By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County - The UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County - Plant A Row Program encourages gardeners to grow a little extra to donate to local organizations that provide food to community members in need. Along with local gardener donations, vendors at the Mariposa Farmer’s Market each week contribute produce. The 2022 Farmer’s Market vendors included (pictured below) Raw Roots Farm in Catheys Valley, Shasky Farms of Le Grand, Serrano Farms, also in Le Grand and House of Greens in Fresno.
This year the donations collected from these Farmer’s Market vendors and private gardeners provided over 800 pounds of produce for distribution. This abundance of fruits and veggies was donated to four organizations – Manna House, Mariposa Senior Services, The Alliance for Community Transformations, and Heritage House.
Due to the devastation of the Oak Fire this past summer, the need to lessen food insecurity was heightened. Programs such as Plant A Row show how local households and farm businesses can work together to support the larger community.
The UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County want to thank all those that contributed to the success of this year’s program and encourage gardeners in the area, as they plan their plots for next year, that they consider planting an extra row or two for the hungry. In addition, if you have orchards that have excess produce at the close of the season that you would like to contribute, please contact the Master Gardeners program office (209) 966-7078 to talk about available options.
Together we can ensure that all members of our community can share in our local natural bounty.
For assistance, contact our Helpline at (209) 966-7078 or at mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu. We are currently unable to take samples or meet with you in person but welcome pictures.
The U.C. Master Gardener Helpline is staffed; Tuesdays from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. and Thursdays from 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Clients may bring samples to the Agricultural Extension Office located at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, but the Master Gardener office is not open to the public. We will not be doing home visits this year due to UCANR restrictions.
Serving Mariposa County, including Greeley Hill, Coulterville, and Don Pedro
Please contact the helpline, or leave a message by phone at: (209) 966-7078
By email (send photos and questions for researched answers) to: mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu
For further gardening information and event announcements, please visit: UCMG website: https://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener
Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/mariposamastergardeners
Master Gardener Office Location:
UC Cooperative Extension Office,
5009 Fairgrounds Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
Phone: (209) 966-2417
Email: mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu
Website: http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener
Visit the YouTube channel at UCCE Mariposa.