Thursday, December 17, 2009

“Highlands student recognized as "Garden Crusader" national gardening award - Bayshore Courier”

“Highlands student recognized as "Garden Crusader" national gardening award - Bayshore Courier”

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Highlands student recognized as "Garden Crusader" national gardening award - Bayshore Courier

Posted: 16 Dec 2009 01:00 PM PST

 Highlands student recognized as "Garden Crusader" national gardening award
Bayshore Courier News
Posted:12/16/09

Highlands (Monmouth County, NJ) - What started as a third grade social studies class project, turned into a community garden at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Highlands, NJ, thanks to the tireless efforts of its founder, Gabriela Compagni. For all of her hard work, Compagni has been awarded an Honorable Mention in the Feeding the Hungry category of the 2009 Garden Crusader Awards.

The Garden Crusader Award, created by Gardener's Supply in 2001, recognizes individuals who make a difference in their community through their passion for gardening. A Garden Crusader is a gardener who has beautified an abandoned piece of land, fed the hungry with their produce, comforted the sick, or taught about gardening or the environment. The Crusader program donates $15,000 in cash and products every year to support community gardening.

The OLPH Community Garden was developed as a direct result of Gabriela's persistence and commitment to her idea of providing fresh produce to the needy in her community. The plot that Compagni found for the project was once an abandoned lot owned by a local parish; her commitment and persistence finally paid off as the parish pastor agreed that she could re-purpose the land for a garden plot. Compagni, her family and other community members enjoyed their first growing season in 2008 and donated the produce to the Highlands Food Pantry every week throughout the summer and the fall.

Gabriela's mother, Jennifer Compagni nominated her enterprising daughter because "Gabriela is a caring and energetic child who understands that there are needs in her immediate neighborhood, and she is dedicated to providing for those people in need."
The OLPH Community Garden continues to provide fresh produce for the Highland Food Pantry, which serves more than 70 families weekly; the garden also has started to support another food bank in an adjacent community. The garden crew has developed partnerships with two local schools and a religious education program to involve more children in the OLPH Community Garden. Compagni and her team have also added a raised bed so that senior citizens and handicapped gardeners can be a part of the community gardening experience.

The deadline for nominations for the 2010 Garden Crusader Awards is June 1, 2010. The four categories include: Urban Renewal, Feeding the Hungry, Education, and Restoration. To nominate a Garden Crusader, please visit gardeners.com for an online nomination or e-mail crusader@gardeners.com or call 1-888-239-1552 to request a nomination form.

Gardener's Supply offers everything from seed-starting supplies and garden furniture to flower supports, greenhouses, and nature and garden-inspired gifts. The company is known for its exclusive and patented products and earth-friendly approach to gardening. Found at gardeners.com or free catalogs are available by calling 1-800-955-3370.


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