Garden for Good receives $2,000

ORIENT – The Wallace Centers of Iowa received a $2,000 grant for its new Garden for Good initiative at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center near Orient. The grant is provided through Farm Credit Services of America’s (FCSAmerica) Working Here Fund for Hunger and Nutrition.

One acre of the Country Life Center’s production garden is being used to grow 10,000 pounds of sweet potatoes, which will be donated to the Food Bank of Iowa and distributed to food insecure families throughout 55 Iowa counties.

“Supporting projects that positively impact the communities in which we live and work is one way we can give back to the people we serve and the rural life we value so highly,” said Cheryl Mannetter, vice president of retail operations at FCSAmerica’s Perry office.

Deb Houghtaling, President and CEO of The Wallace Centers of Iowa noted that sweet potatoes were chosen for the new partnership because “they grow especially well in the conditions at the Country Life Center and they store well, reducing the risk of spoilage. They’re also really easy to prepare, which is important for those with limited cooking skills, equipment or time.” Sweet potatoes are commonly consumed by many different cultures and are highly nutritious.

Volunteers will be needed in early October to harvest the crop. Potential volunteers should contact Lisa Swanson at 641.337.5019 or lisaswanson@wallace.org for details. Groups are welcome and high school silver cord hours available.

The Wallace Centers of Iowa is one of 73 organizations to receive aWorking Here Fund grant in the second quarter of 2019. FCSAmerica awarded $134,850 during the latest grant cycle ending June 30,2019.