PA L E S T I N E C H A M B E R.O RG
23
Local couple creates imaginative, resourceful garden
W
e all know homegrown is best. The sweetest
tomatoes come from our own backyards,
grown in our own soil, watered by our own
hands, and watched over with careful eyes until they
reach perfect ripeness.
Here in Palestine, Sarah and Scott Johnson, a
homegrown couple, are working to produce not just
an imaginative and resourceful garden, but a strong
connection to the community.
Sarah’s Palestine roots go back to her father’s
childhood, when Sarah’s grandparents moved here to
open an insurance agency. Sarah’s father graduated
from Palestine High School, and after finishing college,
he returned to Palestine to join the family business.
Eventually, Sarah’s father took over the agency, and
two of her brothers joined him after college.
Sarah’s roots in public education go back even
further. Her mother’s parents were teachers who
moved to Palestine after retirement. Her great-
grandfather was a superintendent who helped
establish the University Interscholastic League (UIL)
and the Teacher Retirement System, leaving a lasting
impact on Texas education. With over twenty-five
years in education, first as a teacher, and then as a
counselor at Palestine High School, Sarah has enjoyed
helping students find their career direction by advising
on college or trade school, or connecting students to
potential employers in the community.
Scott transplanted to Anderson County at age
sixteen and graduated from Neches High School. For
the last fifteen years, he has been a salesman and
service manager at H&W Powersports. In addition,
his partnership in the energy-drink company Red Dirt
Hurricane allows him to support and promote the
careers of talented Texas country-music artists right
here in Palestine. His love of music and food makes
his home the perfect overnight spot for musicians on
tour.
“I’m passionate about growing and cooking
great food, and doing our part in helping to grow
independent artists,” Scott said.
In addition to working, raising their children, and
enjoying their grandchildren, the couple nurture local
businesses as members of the Palestine Chamber of
Commerce.
Working in the school and community gives
the couple great satisfaction, but another level of
gratification comes from creating their remarkable
home garden. Sarah and Scott had tried to start a
garden in the past, but their produce ended up feeding
the abundant neighborhood deer rather than the
Johnson family. The answer was to enclose the garden
area with a six-foot fence.
“Scott and I have done all the labor from setting
the posts to putting up the fence,” Sarah said. “It
started simply and grew in design as we went. Almost
everything in the garden has a story.” Family and friends