Volunteers Cultivate a Healthier Community
Having access to locally grown food is something many of us take for granted. But for some, access to fresh fruits and vegetables is more of a challenge. People lack knowledge, space, tools, and time when trying to grow their own produce.
Those obstacles are not a problem for volunteers who work in community gardens. These dedicated individuals work throughout the year and enjoy taking on responsibilities such as planning, planting, weeding, watering, mulching, and pruning. All their efforts pay off when a ripe tomato or fresh carrots are ready to harvest.
Max Mueller has been a Community Garden volunteer at the Sunset Community Garden in Olathe for three years. He heard about the opportunity from his neighbor who knew he liked to garden. Besides enjoying the physical benefits of working outdoors, he appreciates being a part of a community effort to help others.
“I like working with the other great people that volunteer to provide local produce for those that may not have access to fresh food. Since retiring, this gives me a sense of purpose and an opportunity to work with a group of like-minded volunteers to help others. I also enjoy learning new gardening skills and knowledge through hands-on experience and the knowledge we gain from each other,” says Mueller.
Since 2006, Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Larry Justice has helped with a variety of projects at the Backyard Garden in Olathe, including planning and infrastructure development. Located in rural Johnson County, Kansas, the Backyard Garden is a demonstration garden on the grounds of the Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center (OHREC).
“In the early days of the garden, all watering was done by hand, with buckets of water carried from the single on-site source,” says Justice. Now that an irrigation system is in place, he enjoys working with others to grow and harvest fruit and vegetables.
“My favorite part about working in the garden is learning from and being with the other EMGs. There are wonderful people here learning together from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing a unique experience and perspective. While we have great formal training before starting, we also learn a lot from each other,” says Justice.
Extension Master Gardeners work directly with local food pantries to meet the needs of families in the community. By partnering with these food pantries, volunteers can focus their efforts on growing the produce that families are familiar with and will use. In 2024, four of the nine EMG demonstration gardens harvested and donated over 7,930 pounds of produce to community food pantries.
One of the partners is the New Hope Presbyterian Food Pantry in Olathe. For families on tight budgets, the cost of fresh food is hard to justify. When they can choose it from the food pantry, they can take it home and try incorporating it into their meals without the fear of the cost.
“Many of our clients didn’t grow up with access to fruits and vegetables. When food budgets are tight, shelf-stable and processed foods become the norm. Over time, that lack of exposure shapes taste preferences, so produce often feels unfamiliar, even intimidating,” says Director Luke Stivers from New Hope.
Stivers has seen the impact fresh produce has on people. “Not long ago, I watched a young boy peek into one of our produce bags. When he spotted a whole pineapple and a couple of melons, he let out an audible gasp and broke into the biggest grin you can imagine. That moment said everything: fresh produce isn’t just food; it’s joy, surprise, and dignity. Donors and partners in the community make these moments possible,” says Stivers.
Providing access to local food is a complex challenge, but it is one that our community can work together to solve. By donating their time and skills, volunteers play a vital role in ensuring fresh, nutritious food reaches the tables of families, helping to cultivate a healthier community for all.
by Tracy Hemsath, Volunteer Leadership and Developement Agent, 2025