The Pope Farm Homestead is a bustling place now that it’s home to the Forward Garden. On a beautiful summer night in mid-August, Farm Manager, Matt Lechmaier led a small group on a tour (pictured below) to get an up-close look at its operations. Matt discussed the mission of the Forward Garden and how it augments the produce of nine other gardens within the Food Pantry network. This means they can get the food to where it’s needed the most within Dane County.

The group ventured into the three very active acres just east of the barn. Peppers, cabbage, and cauliflower had just been planted while beets, leeks and onions had just been harvested. Bush beans have germinated and a few beautiful pumpkins made an appearance, hinting of fall and promising a productive patch for October.

Matt showed the group the rain barrels that provide the garden with a much-needed water source. There’s a solar powered fence that keeps the deer at bay. And then there’s his pride and joy, the just completed walk-in cooler for vegetable storage that makes life on the farm a lot easier. Having a cooler on-site allows them to store the produce for a day or two rather than rush it to the local pantries the same day.

Check out this video tour of the new cooler here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CErJ2kYD7XA/

Matt is clearly a resourceful guy who loves what he does, and we’re grateful he’s part of the Pope Farm experience. He greatly appreciates how the community has stepped up to embrace the mission of the Food Pantry Gardens and in particular, supporting the Forward Garden in its first year. If there’s enough interest, he’s happy to give another tour.

If you’d like to help with harvesting activities or are itching to get out and get your hands dirty, fall is a wonderful time to volunteer. The Forward Garden volunteer work schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. All are welcome to participate – no registration necessary.

Visit MAFPG’s website to stay up on the latest with the gardens at www.foodpantrygardens.org or contact Matt@foodpantrygardens.org or call 530-650-5301.

Updated Wish List

Forward Garden is still in need of a few items. If you have any of these items to donate to the cause, send Matt a note or give him a call.

• Rain barrels
• Latching storage bins
• Shovels
• Metal fence posts
• Folding tables
• Lumber – used, treated or untreated
• Garage shelving
• Weeding tools (hoes, cultivators…)
• Garden hose(s)