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Community Corner

Covenant Village of Golden Valley and Boy Scout Troop 297 growing produce for transitional housing shelter

Fresh produce is on the grow for those struggling with chemical dependency at Smith Lodge, Plymouth, Minn. The residents and staff of Covenant Village of Golden Valley, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community operated by Covenant Retirement Communities, are teaming with Boy Scout Troop 297 from Roseville, Minn., to grow summer produce for the 19 men and women living at the Smith Lodge transitional housing site.

The scouts and Covenant Village of Golden Valley volunteers recently planted two rows of twelve 24- by 42-inch conditioned straw bales with tomatoes, squash, peppers, onion bulbs, eggplant, cucumbers, beets, basil, cilantro and dill. Marigolds add a splash of color and provide a natural pest deterrent.

Known as a convenient and efficient growing medium, the straw bales provided another advantage for the Covenant Village of Golden Valley gardeners. Set on wooden pallets, the bales are more accessible than traditional in-ground gardens. That makes them easier to reach for watering, pruning and harvesting.

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“With this project, we hope to contribute a small part to the sustainable food movement,” says Vicky Kendall, Covenant Village of Golden Valley church and community relations coordinator. “It’s also a way to bring the community together for a common purpose and a hands-on opportunity for learning. Everyone participating is learning.”

The scouts will continue to assist Covenant Village residents and staff members in maintaining the garden through the growing season.

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“This project is a perfect example of congeniality, which is one of the four tenets of our organizational We Believe platform,” says Gary Gardeen, executive director, Covenant Village of Golden Valley. “By connecting people and creating friendships, we are building an even more engaged community.”

About Covenant Village of Golden Valley

Covenant Village of Golden Valley, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community, is located at 5800 St. Croix Ave. N., Golden Valley, Minn. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Village of Golden Valley, call (877) 804-7017 or visit www.CovenantVillageofGoldenValley.org.

 

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