USU to plant Food Pantry Garden in Davis

KAYSVILLE — Utah State University Extension will break ground for its first Food Pantry Garden at the Utah Botanical Center in May.

The 12,000-square-foot plot will be filled with 100 pounds of seed potatoes, 450 tomato plants, 4,000 corn plants and 200 melon plants.

The project is set up for community volunteers to help maintain the garden throughout the growing season and harvest the produce, which will be donated to local food banks. Boy Scouts working on their Eagle Scout projects will plant the garden in mid-May.

"We are very excited about this project," said JayDee Gunnell, USU Extension horticulture agent in Davis County. "It will provide a great opportunity for community members to donate their time and effort to a worthy community project. They can also spend time with friends and family, learn from UBC staff and master gardeners, get a little exercise and enjoy some beautiful evenings outdoors."

Volunteers are needed from May 20 through Sept. 30. Slots are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. Staff members will be on site to answer questions and offer assistance during volunteer hours. Contact Stacie Stone at 801-451-3403 to sign up.