By Melanie Wiseman

“I’m probably out mowing.”

That’s what you’ll hear if you get the voice mail of Rick Kenagy, Grounds Manager for Canyon View Vineyard Church.

Kenagy is passionate about the community garden he and his team, and community volunteers created.

Six years ago, the church bought additional land to the south of their property. Among the ideas of how to use this land was a community garden where all produce was given to those in need. Funding lacked, but the seed was planted.

Just under three years ago, the idea became a reality. In the spring of 2010, volunteers rolled up their sleeves with only $1,000 to install a drip system for a half-acre. Today with nearly 100 percent of the plants and seeds donated by local nurseries, this volunteer community garden has doubled in size and gave away 25,000 pounds of vegetables in 2011.

Volunteer Mark Gibbons admitted he was a skeptic when the decision was made to double the garden’s size this year, but the volunteers came, and the garden flourished. A flower garden and donated pavilion were added as well.

From late spring throughout the summer, the community garden (located at 24-1/2 and G-1/4 Roads) is busy with activity.

Volunteers offer their time Tuesday and Thursday evenings and from 7 a.m. – noon on Saturday mornings. Gibbons called this a “non-guilt garden.” There is no requirement on the number of hours you donate or how you help. There are weeders, greeters, harvesters, washers and prep volunteers. Some just come to visit, or may bring snacks for the volunteers.

All of the produce grown in the community garden and the corn grown off site are shared for free between the volunteers, given directly to those in need, or to the “public market.” From 11 a.m. – noon on Saturdays, a plethora of vegetables remain from the morning harvest and are given away freely.

Onions, beets, corn, lettuce, beans, peas, squash, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, potatoes, and six varieties of peppers are all grown at the garden.

“We live in a world where nothing is free,” Volunteer Vickie Ramos said. “People are so grateful.”

Ramos said many people who have received food are now volunteers.

Other future plans for the community garden? How about a greenhouse so produce can be grown year round? Kenagy said many families bring their children along when they volunteer to get them involved and see the rewards of gardening. He said children who help garden, eat more vegetables. The community garden is partnering with neighboring Caprock Academy to educate their students on gardening.

The community garden team is always looking for people to share their talents.

“This garden is to serve as an education starting point for other churches and community groups,” Kenagy said. “The community garden brings people together for a purpose.”

To learn more about participating in next year’s garden, call Kenagy at 234-8572, or email him at rickk@gjvineyard.org.