If you’re tending to a garden, it’s been a tough summer to find enjoyment in the fruits of your labor. Several months of hot, dry conditions means most produce is shrinking in size as it comes to harvest.
This year’s positive experience may be turning into the biggest and most gratifying of Lightfoot’s six garden growing trips to South Africa. What started as a small number of volunteers, typically a few of her fellow local landscapers, has turned into a large contingent of all careers and ages, from young members of a Madison church to a retired ag extension agent. Lightfoot says, “I’m moved by all the volunteers who want to help this project succeed. There’s no way I could do any of this without them.” Residents of the targeted area are asked to volunteer from the start– and in this case, three dozen adults and children from rural Johannesburg– helped plot, dig, plant, and are now maintaining the garden for the long-term. There’s also health, cooking, and business-related education included. And Lightfoot says they’re starting to see the pay off, as kids remain involved. “We’re realizing the benefits as they get a little older and learn how growing a garden can lead to making money through sales of produce at a market or why working with others– people-to-people connections– can create business partnerships in the future,” says Lightfoot.