All we need is 15 to 20 volunteers to give three hours per week to substantially increase our growth and giving potential.
With that in mind, I am leading a Gardening Education Program to teach people how to grow food. We just needed a home. We were blessed with an amazing opportunity.
Enter B Organic Farm in Chino Valley. Mark and Ginny Bonacquista, the owners of a fully functioning five-acre working farm that already has three greenhouses, numerous raised beds, acres of in-ground gardens, a worm farm, a 50-tree fruit orchard and two large cisterns, reached out to us and offered their property to build and grow the Food Forest Gardening Education Center and our Gardeners Of Destiny (G.O.D.) training program.
“John and his Make 100 Healthy Foundation previously helped us by donating money and time to help us raise a barn. By doing so, we were able to open our second greenhouse, which enabled us to double our food production. We felt it was only right to return the favor and welcome the Food Forest here to B Organic Farm,” said Mark Bonacquista.
I’m proud to say that the Prescott Food Forest @ B Organic Farm broke ground with a free gardening class led by legendary gardener Daniel Blake, on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Stephane Leon, a local teacher and one of the driving forces in bringing this project to fruition, is leading the educational program and is excited to teach kids the joys and benefits of gardening. “Our first family class will be an eight-week Winter Greenhouse Gardening program, starting on Jan. 21,” she said. “Over the eight-week course, we will plant, grow and harvest what we grow.”
How can you get involved? First and foremost, volunteers are needed to tend to the gardens to maximize the full potential of food production and distribution. Mark Bonacquista said, “We have the potential to double and even triple our output, but we don’t have the help to do so.” All we need is 15 to 20 volunteers to give three hours per week to substantially increase our growth and giving potential. We are glad to teach, train and direct anyone who has the heart to learn and help us grow food. With the Food Forest team, we already have more help and that’s why we are keeping one of the greenhouses operational all winter long.
Now that the Prescott Food Forest @ B Organic Farm is up and running, what is the next step?
We are building a community of spirited people that all want to learn or teach people how to grow food. There are plenty of opportunities if you have a special talent you would like to share. Just reach out to me and we can add to our offerings. This project was intended to bring more awareness about and insights into healthy eating.
To accomplish our mission to build a sustainable gardening educational center with the means for long-term viability and long-lasting impact, we are holding a BIG Charity Victory Garden Kick Off Gala, 5-9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17, at The Club at Prescott Lakes.
There will be live entertainment led by Kenny James, a silent and live auction, prizes, giveaways and special keynote speeches from Ken Lain from Watters Garden Center and myself. All proceeds will benefit the Food Forest @ B Organic Farm Gardening Education Center and the Gardeners Of Destiny training program. Visit www.prescottfoodforest.com/calendar for tickets and sponsorship opportunities.
Please plan to bring yourself, your families and friends to experience why gardening is a lifelong hobby for so many! To contact me directly, email me at john.teammurphy@gmail.com or call 928-899-1341. You can find more information at www.prescottfoodforest.com.
Let’s get growing! QCBN
By John James Murphy
John James Murphy is a Prescott realtor at Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert.
