Approximately two years ago, a new gardening project was introduced at Perry Wellness Center. Through a grant with Agrium, peers were taught about vegetable production and assigned their own personal raised vegetable beds on campus.

Peers were taught the many components of plant production, from seed planting, to proper fertilization and watering. The final learning session consisted of training in commerce and marketing of peers’ personal harvests. Rudy’s Happy Patch Market became the logical sales location for this produce, bound for our loyal customers’ tables.

The project became an immediate success and continues to be so two years later, despite the many spells of dry and hot weather. Once again, peers are harvesting their raised bed plots at Perry Wellness Center, as well as many they created at home. Just this week, Tyshaun Thomas proudly shared his harvest at the market, receiving $8.50 for a recent gathering of ripe tomatoes from his plot.

“I am proud of all our young farmers, who are learning about planting and harvest,” said market manager Phyllis Smith. “They share some of their harvest with their family, and some sell it to Rudy’s Happy Patch Market. It really is a great program for us all.”

In the photo above, PWC founder and CEO Stuart Perry, Tyshaun Thomas, and market manager Phyllis Smith are all smiles as they weight and process the latest peer harvest.