Garden planning - to share...

We had four of our grandchildren here for a week in April. Once again it went from snow to summer weather in this wildly variable spring weather that has become the norm. But we had enough lovely days to begin the prep work on the garden.
In the photo you see Emily and Devan with the last of the carrots. We grow our winter carrots in the 1/2 barrels you see to the left, and it was time to take them out and replace them with lettuce and other spring greens.

Part of our garden plan is to have intentional excess to share with those who need it most. One local county food bank, Food for People, is promoting the national "Plant A Row for the Hungry" program. In the past we have taken garden excess down to local food distribution centers. Yes, everyone does appreciate good organic tomatoes, cucumbers, and even (!) zuchinni.

Another good example of one person's idea blossoming into something wonderful, the Plant a Row program can boast that: "Since 1995, over 14 million pounds of produce providing over 50 million meals have been donated by American gardeners. All this has been achieved without government subsidy or bureaucratic red tape — just people helping people." Not bad. Good, organic, local, REAL food getting to those who need it most. And a good example of how we can easily share the benefits of our personal success.

Our business, Simmons Natural Bodycare, is tiny. Barely a blip on anyone's business radar and never to be a candidate for the Fortune 500. But we can contribute to the greater good in a way defined and proportionate to our own good fortune. Thus we give a percentage of soap sales to Heifer International, our favorite all around holistic organization to help end hunger and care for the Earth, and we plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every 12 bars of soap we sell. Our success equals greater donations automatically. Yet, if our business has a tough time we still donate, just less, so it does not cut into our ability to help however we can afford to.

I am fortunate to live in this rural mountain community where neighbors look out for each other. I like to feel that, as a world community, we can be as caring.