Mary Roe, director of the Ben Arnold Center Three years ago Sustainable Midlands and the Rosewood Garden Community started a community garden at the Ben Arnold Center on South Holly Street. Their intention was to introduce gardening to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands. However, they were only able to tend to the garden on a weekly basis during the summer months.

About a year ago, Mary Roe became the director of the Ben Arnold Center and took over the garden from the two organizations with the understanding that the residents would benefit from the garden along with the families and children involved with the clubs.

With Roe’s help, tending to the garden has become part of the daily activities of the Boys and Girls Clubs.

She has made sure to include the children in every aspect of tending the garden. Roe says the children are excited about planting and weeding.

About 45–50 kids work in the Ben Arnold community garden, ages ranging from kindergarten to high school. During the summer months, Roe only had children up to the fifth grade helping, but she hopes the high school students who come in the fall will want to learn about cooking and eating healthy.

Currently, the Ben Arnold garden has eight raised beds. An additional four beds will be built in September to help save the soil from becoming overused. In the spring and summer, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, and squash were among the items planted. When fall arrives, Roe says the garden will be planted with collard greens, cabbage, garlic, and potatoes. In 2011 Roe hopes to introduce more fruits to the garden.

Roe says the children and the garden have had an impact on her as the director. She believes the children are learning about the food groups, cost effectiveness, and the knowledge of gardening no matter where they live.

The vegetables in the garden aren’t only available to the children who attend the Ben Arnold Center and their families but also to the surrounding residents. Roe says they have even received plants from fellow residents to replace the vegetables that have been taken.

Currently, Roe has cleaned up the beds and will begin replanting next week.