Wolter Woods and Prairies' Donation Garden Tackles Food Insecurity

SHERRILL, Iowa - A new donation garden at the University of Dubuque's Wolter Woods and Prairies Environmental Stewardship and Retreat Center is helping to tackle food insecurity in Dubuque County with a flourish of broccoli, celery, kohlrabi, peppers, and other produce.

As of late July, over 135 pounds of produce had been donated from the 3,500-square-foot garden to Dubuque's Veterans Freedom Center, Teresa Shelter, and Resources Unite.

"It's one of the ways that Wolter Woods and Prairies can reach beyond the footprint that we have," said Gerald Zuercher, PhD, director of the property.

The idea of a donation garden sprouted roots last year when Zuercher reached out to John Shook, MPA, associate professor emeritus of criminal justice who had a garden plot at Wolter Woods and Prairies, with a proposal to take on the project.

"The donation garden at Wolter Woods and Prairies is a great fit for me," Shook said. "You have heard me say that I believe we can always do more. This applies perfectly to the Wolter Woods and Prairies donation garden. I've been gardening for many years, and it seems that each year, I try to add something else - whether it's growing my plants from seed or increasing the size of my gardens. This garden allows me to 'do more' by providing donations to not-for-profit organizations that help people within the Dubuque community. It also challenges me to 'do more' as I've never had a garden this large. It's exciting to see the various vegetables and flowers grow. That feeling that I get when I drop off fresh produce more than compensates for my time and effort."

A master gardener with Dubuque County Master Gardeners, Shook applied for and received a grant from Growing Together Iowa, a donation garden program funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach that increases access to fruits and vegetables, promotes healthy food access, and provides nutrition and gardening education to people who are food insecure. Four donation gardens in Dubuque County each received $550 grants. Funds were used to purchase shovels, rakes, fencing, plants, and other items.

Ray Kruse, MS, horticulture educator with Dubuque County ISU Extension and Outreach who also coordinates communications with Dubuque County Master Gardeners, said it's wonderful to partner with another university to carry out Growing Together Iowa.

"It doesn't matter that the University of Dubuque isn't part of Iowa State," Kruse said. "We're all here making a positive difference in the community."

Once the grant was received, Shook met with Dubuque County Master Gardeners and recruited several volunteers to help with the donation garden including Master Gardener Jody Kramer.

"I toured the property and instantly knew that was where I wanted to spend my time doing what I love to do," she said. "Together, John and I came up with a vision on how we wanted the garden to look, what we wanted to plant, and how to begin. With the mild winter we had, we were able to begin putting up fence in February... I knew this was going to be a substantial time commitment on my part, but I feel passionate about giving back to my community. Food insecurity is real for a lot of individuals."

Recently, peppers were dropped off at Dubuque's Veterans Freedom Center.

"Everybody takes one or two here and there," said Barry Brillhart, a veteran and volunteer at the center.

Although this is the second year Dubuque's Veterans Freedom Center has received produce from Wolter Woods and Prairies, it is the first year the produce has come from the new donation garden.

"We're trying to give these veterans peace of mind, a place for them to come and have solitude and be with veterans," Brillhart said. "The more that we have to offer to them, the better it is. These vegetables fit right into that program. It's just great that they reached out to us and wanted to come down and help us out."

Shook and Kramer - along with other volunteers - have spent countless hours tending to the donation garden and will continue to do so.

"From the moment I stepped onto the grounds at Wolter Woods and Prairies, I found it both beautiful and peaceful," Shook said. "The prairies and landscape are spectacular, and it's incredibly relaxing to be working in the garden and see and hear the birds and bees. Wolter Woods and Prairies is a beautiful place and a fantastic opportunity for UD. I am hopeful that the garden adds to that beauty."

Kramer added, "Wolter Woods and Prairies has given me the perfect opportunity to use my knowledge as a master gardener to do something I love and have a positive impact on my community. The property itself is beautiful and serene. For me, there is nothing more relaxing than an early morning working in the garden at Wolter Woods and Prairies and being surrounded by stunning prairies and the sounds of nature."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.