2017 Iowa Hunger Directory 2017 Edition | Page 317

Iowa Gardening For Good DESCRIPTION CONTACT NAME Tracy Blackmer EMAIL [email protected] PHONE 515-685-4042 OFFICE ADDRESS Iowa Gardening for Good is a project (soon to be a non-profit entity) created by the Blackmer family that focuses on involving people in growing things of value for a good cause. The Blackmer family has lived on an acreage for over 10 years and in this time has organized a number of projects striving to involve more people in agricultural production and trying to link them to various types of service projects. Currently, their largest project is with the Food Bank of Iowa and involves producing vegetables that are distributed through local food pantries and other partner agencies. Iowa Gardening for Good donates use of their land and equipment to grow vegetables and Tracy offers his gardening knowledge to supervise the project. 2191 340th St. Madrid, IA 50156 TYPE OF WORK Garden Program COUNTIES Boone HOW TO HELP The primary labor source is volunteers that are scheduled primarily through the Food Bank of Iowa. Throughout the growing season, dates are available for volunteers to come help plant, tie up plants or pick produce. Some companies like Walmart, Farm Credit Services, and Principal Financial have organized dates and paid volunteer time for their employees to use for projects such as this. Families, college students and many other individuals have also participated. Iowans are encouraged to contact the Blackmer family for more information or to get involved. Page | 316