July 21, 2010 –
MAYETTA: Eddie Joe Mitchell, who is working as a traditional gardener for the Diabetes Prevention Program at the Health Center this summer, reported that 70 pounds of produce has been harvested from the gardens so far and that community residents are welcome to come and get some produce that is being taken to the Boys & Girls Club, Elder Center and Health Center. There is no set time when the produce is being placed there and it is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Three community gardens have been planted and are located at the Health Center, Language House and Elder Center that Mitchell is overseeing. He said that he is pleased with the harvest so far and expects a large crop by the end of the summer that is all being organically produced. Mitchell has been gardening most of his life and uses traditional Potawatomi ways. He lives on the common land and also has a large garden at his home.
Yesterday, the News went to the Health Center garden and found Mitchell with some helpers from the Summer Youth Program and Maintenance Department. They are photographed below along with some other shots of the garden.
Left to right: Anthony Estes, Sam Mitchell, Matthew Littleaxe, Tim Mendez, Lance Wahquahboshkuk and Eddie Joe Mitchell. Estes and Wahquahboshkuk are youth workers for the Nation this summer and Sam, Tim, and Matthew are employees in Maintenance for the Nation.
Cantalope coming in.
Pole beans and corn.
Eddie Joe in the garden at the Health Center.
Okra plant bloom.
Tomato ripening up.
Green beans on the vine.