In collaboration with the Dogs-R-Us 4-H Club, HY sought and gained support from Yankton City Parks and Recreation Director, Todd Larson. Larson and the other representatives received overwhelming support from the Yankton City Commission and, oh, how the dog park and garden did start to grow in 2009! Tilling land in Yankton’s backyard, Marne Creek West Park provided the perfect place for garden plots. Today, Healthy Yankton shares a parking lot with the dog lovers, along Yankton’s West City Limits Road. There have been so many people all across the community who have provided fertile ground that yields success for the Community Garden. Mark Hunhoff of Mark’s Machinery readily digs in to donate his time, equipment, fuel, and expertise to work the soil each spring and fall. Hunhoff recruited Tony Ellis, who also offered his services and assistance in the early years. “Gardeners are required to pre-register and pre-pay to obtain approval to plant, weed, monitor, and clean up their designated garden plot after harvesting a bountiful crop for their personal use. Individual garden plots are approximately 12’X18’ in size and there are 221 plots available for planting. With only a $20 per plot fee, gardeners are excited to take a bite out of their grocery bills by growing their own produce. Gardening continues from mid-April to mid-October, depending on the weather,” stated Sr. Julie Peak, OSB, who serves as the current President of the HY group, explaining the current process. One big task each spring is plotting where gardeners will plant. Over the years assistance in marking the garden has come from the Mount Marty College Men’s Basketball Team, then under the guidance of Coach Jim Thorson and with support from his wife Susan Thorson, who serves as MMC’s Director of Health Services. Inmates at the Yankton Minimum Unit of Mike Durfee State Prison also helped create whimsical garden markers that initially provided country appeal. Practicality required a transition to more durable garden markers. What goes in must come out so another big task is garden cleanup each fall. The support by members of the HY group has been supplemented by the dedicated and hardworking City Parks and Recreation staff. Coordination between the city staff has been supported by Brittany Orr, Recreation Coordinator, who along with Laura Larson, community member, remain as active members of the HY group. HY Secretary and Master Gardener Cindy Nelsen brought her fellow plant masters to the plots to provide growing guidance for gardeners. Like a friendly farmer, the Master Gardeners make themselves available at the garden site, offering wise words about dealing with worms, encouragement for eco-friendly approaches, and praise for those proud of their produce. Nelsen researched rodent eradication and promoted production of the owl houses that were prepared by former leaders and members of the Dogs-R-Us 4-H Club. Placed at the Community Garden and other Yankton Parks, the boxes encourage nesting by owls to feed on rodents, avoiding chemical eradication. The HY group took root by cultivating partnerships within the community. As the number of gardeners grew, so did the amenities at the garden. A few years back water access was added in cooperation with the City of Yankton. Raised bed gardens were added just last year, with funding provided by a grant from HyVee. vGARDEN continued on page 21 3?6????34?????3???3 ????????? Morgen Square 605.260.5003 HERVOICE MAY/JUNE 2015v17