Mormon garden provides physical, spiritual aid to all

COTTON CITY, N.M. — It didn't take long before everyone in the community would drive by and say, "That's the Mormon garden."

After all, 8 acres is a pretty big garden. Set in the small town of Cotton City, N.M., it tended to stand out. The entire population of Hidalgo County is less than 10,000 people and tucked away in the "boot heel" of New Mexico. Needless to say, this area is not a well-known metropolis.

But the locals, whether Mormon or not, knew about the "Garden Party" or "Hoedown."

Bishop Wayne Fralie's mom and dad are not members of the LDS Church. His mother would travel often to Bible study class in which she and her friends would pass by the Mormon garden. "On several occasions," said Bishop Fralie, "I heard my dad accuse my mom of stopping off at the Mormon garden on her way to Bible study and steal a few melons from the Mormons."

But they were surely welcomed — if indeed they really stopped by.

Before Bishop Fralie, Bishop Devon Richins hatched the idea of a huge garden early in 2009. He was concerned with the downturn in the economy and wanted to help ensure that there would be sufficient food for everyone.

His farm was near the LDS Church, and he donated 8 acres of land next door to the chapel, so it would be convenient. He agreed to supply the water for this project, and it was siphoned off from his own acreage. He also supplied the fertilizer.

He asked four retired farmers in his ward who had the necessary equipment to oversee the project: a pair of nephews — Russel Richins and Dean Richins — cousin Mel Richins, and Frank Hicks.

The very next morning they all went down to the property and held a dedicatory prayer. "That was a key to our success," said Russel Richins.

A few months later Bishop Richins was released and his counselor, Fralie, was called as the new bishop. Then in early October before the completion of the harvest, Bishop Richins suffered cardiac arrest and died.

"It was totally unexpected," said Russel Richins. "He was 75 years old, but he was healthy and robust."

Bishop Fralie said that when he was called, "Bishop Richins told me if there were any additional expenses incurred in this project, to just give him the receipts, and he would pay them out of his own pocket." He didn't want anything said about it, and he didn't want to be in the limelight."

His widow, Lilian Richins, said, "He liked to be sure and say that he would supply the weeds also."