Harvey FFA Chapter Giving Back | Video

Amy Fox | 8/8/2012

For farmers across the state, August marks the middle of harvest season. For many, this means putting in long hours to pick all the produce. But for one group in Harvey, they`re doing it all for someone else.

"It originated over in the Minnesota/Wisconsin area last year as a pilot project, and they brought it over to the Dakotas," said WinField Research Specialist Ryan Olson.

Members of the Harvey FFA Chapter, like Paige Alexander, are helping to put the pilot program into action by creating a community garden, called the "Answer Plot."

"We come out and we weeded it and picked it and, you know, just make sure it is being taken care of."

Once the crops are harvested, they`re taken to a local food pantry.

"It`s a really nice thing to do for our community,” said Katelyn Dockter, Harvey FFA member. "Our community does a lot for our chapter and does a lot for us and it`s really nice to actually give back to an area where it`s really needed."

The "Answer Plot" is part of the Land O`Lakes Foundation’s Feeding Our Communities initiative to increase the amount of fresh produce donated to local food banks.

"I know we have around 25 pounds of beets," said Alexander.

And beats aren’t the only vegetable the group is growing.

"Then, we have bags and bags and bags of cucumbers,” said Alexander. “So, yeah, we have a lot, so it`s exciting."

The group hopes the excitement spreads to the food pantry.

"They seem to really like it and glad that we can bring fresh vegetables to them and the community,” said Harvey FFA member Katie Held. “And I think they will really like the vegetables."

Although the group isn`t done with this season`s harvest, they`re already looking forward to next year.

"I think this is something we will definitely do again. We might change up a little bit what we plant, ya know, but I think it`s definitely something we will do again,” said Dockter.

The group hopes to continue to raise awareness for hunger in the community after harvest season is over.

The Harvey FFA will take the fresh produce to the food pantry tomorrow.

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