Trip to Prasco and weeding!

This week was a special week as the Alliance Garden interns got to go on a field trip to Prasco down in Cincinnati. Prasco is a family run pharmaceutical company with a strong missions mindset. The family foundation has funded the IWU Alliance Garden and this trip was designed for our students to get an idea of why we do what we do and who helps make that possible. While we did get a tour and were treated to an awesome lunch, we did help transplant melons, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. The trip was not long but it was well worth the trip for the interns to see a company that lives their Christian walk the whole week, not just Sunday. For more information on Prasco and their affiliates check out these websites. http://www.prasco.com/ http://www.prascopark.com/ http://www.ignitionapg.com/ http://www.arington.org/

Back in Marion have just been on a weeding frenzy. That and we have hundreds of tomato volunteers. We have been transplanting the biggest and the best while uprooting the others. I have no idea what they will be but I am sure we will find out soon! Our blackberry and raspberry bushes are starting to fruit and they taste really good! We are harvesting arugula, lettuce, swiss chard, collards, and a quailgrass spinach hybrid. It basically grows like a weed and can feed people anywhere under adverse traditions. Growing this plant is one way many groups are combating hunger across the globe. Our strawberries are basically done now thanks to all the rain and muggy weather. They get overdosed on water and just start rotting and attracting bugs. We have transplanted more flowers and have added some more peppers. With all of the tomatoes we should be making lots of salsa and tomato and pasta sauce. Side notes: We will be bringing our produce to Saturday farmer's markets starting tomorrow so be sure to visit the Marion community gardens booth. We also have a Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/iwualliancegarden Like us and follow the blog here.

Garden Manager Zach Arington