The agricultural grant funded several things including a cooking class as shown here, which focused on using fresh produce in recipes.

Thank you to the Polk County Community Foundation – Culberson Agricultural Grant for generously funding the 2015 Garden of Hope program at Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (“Outreach”). The program pairs Outreach clients with garden mentors from the community to help clients learn to grow a sustainable home vegetable garden.

This grant was used to provide garden vouchers, a cooking class, and a harvest dinner to 45 clients. Vouchers were used to purchase necessary garden items, such as tools, starter plants, and fertilizer. The cooking class focused on recipes to prepare fresh produce and the annual harvest dinner provided an opportunity for clients to show off their growing and cooking skills! We look forward to continuing the Garden of Hope initiative in 2016.

– Submitted by George Alley