AG Secretary Discusses Opportunities to Grow Own Food Through Gardening

Ag Department Opens New Community Gardens in Selinsgrove

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Agriculture Secretary
Dennis Wolff discussed the importance of home gardening and consumers growing
their own food today as families face tighter budgets as he helped open a new
community garden in Selinsgrove, Snyder County.

"Recently, there has been an increased interest in home gardening as consumers
are trying to stretch their dollars," said Wolff. "Growing your own food is a
great way to cut costs and local gardens decrease the distance food travels
from farm to fork reducing carbon emissions and providing a nutrient-rich
source of fresh fruits and vegetables.

"We also encourage gardeners to share their bounty by planting an extra row to
donate to those with limited access to fresh produce through a local food
bank."

Because not everyone has the space to plant a garden, community gardens are
becoming more popular and widely available, particularly in urban and suburban
areas.

"Thanks to community gardens, consumers are learning about agriculture,
Pennsylvania's number one industry, by being in closer touch with where their
food comes from," said Wolff.

The new gardening effort Wolff helped launch today -- the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture/Selinsgrove Community Gardens -- is on a seven-acre
parcel of the department's 223-acre farm. The project is a partnership
between the department, Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, the
Susquehanna River Coalition, and Susquehanna and Bucknell universities.

The 30' x 30' garden plots will be available to members of the community for
$10 per season. To secure a plot, contact Joel Imgrund of Penn State
Cooperative Extension in Snyder County at 570-966-8194.
CONTACT: Jean Kummer
(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Jean Kummer of the PA Department of Agriculture, +1-717-787-5085