Won't You Be My Neighbor?

by Robert
(New York)

Originally when I moved to my property we lived along a bare, featureless road. Every roadside had either mowed grass or scraped-back hills with forests behind them. I put my raised bank gardens right next to the road, with lots of flowers -- sunflowers.

People started driving by more slowly. The garden grew well -- we had people drop by with gifts of horse manure, and we soon put up a picnic table with an honor can for paying for produce. People started driving more slowly down our road, obviously rubbernecking at our garden.

We've donated food to our local pantry, we've shared tips with other people, and we started a donation bowl at the library -- when we've planted our seeds we reseal the packets and offer them to anyone who wants some.

I've actually taken a few packs back. People have called our phone number asking how to grow the seeds. We're not just growing good food, we're growing community, too.

This year we've started participating in the local farmer's markets, and it's a great way to keep in touch with other people as well. We end up spending a lot of the money we earn right at other people's tables, and other people I've seen do the same. It's a very fine habit, and I really enjoy how our social contacts have changed since we started growing organic produce.