by Joan Trendell, St. Alban’s Peace Garden Volunteer Coordinator
After a record season of growing 9000 pounds of vegetables in 2024, the St. Alban’s Peace Garden is beginning its tenth season at its location on the grounds of The Table Episcopal Church, Indianapolis.
The Peace Garden leaders welcome its new partner, The Table, which “has enthusiastically assumed fiscal responsibility for the Peace Garden, a thriving community garden sharing food with neighbors and serving as a memorial for those lost to gun violence. We understand our presence in this community as an expression of God’s mission in Christ, sharing that which is necessary for life, and living as a community of faith seeking to encounter, embody, and extend the love of God in Christ in the neighborhoods and networks we find ourselves in,’ says Senior Warden Donna Romack. The Table will retain St. Alban’s in its name as a tribute to its history.
The several years partnership with Community Health Network continues with funding provided for the garden’s costs in exchange for the produce going to The Community Cupboard of Lawrence Township. The Cupboard’s Coordinator, Leslie Malichi “believes that this important resource for food is well appreciated by the food pantry shoppers who visit. The steady flow of a wide variety of vegetables expands the fresh food options we can provide for our neighbors.
Tate Nielsen, the farmer who leads the volunteers throughout the season is excited for another year as well. “Each growing season is unique, and we respond to the soil conditions, weather conditions for heat and rain as well as pests to get the best production we can. Last year planting zucchini from seeds instead of plants made for a 4200 lb crop.”
New volunteers are always welcome to join on Mondays at 4:30- 6:00 p.m. ET for workdays. Saturday May 31st will be our annual “Tomato Day” when we get 300+ plants in. Check out the St. Alban’s Peace Garden Facebook page for updates on workdays on picture throughout the season.
