Getting involved
We have organized work days, but most of the time, parishioners will stop into the garden to do a little weeding or harvesting. If you harvest, you can drop off what you pick in the rectory, and you can take a little home for yourself. Contact Carrie Kirchner for more information. Her contact info is below.
How this started…
St. Joseph Garden Ministry developed in response to a 2022 county-wide survey organized by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown that indicated food insecurity as a top need in Mahoning County. St. Joseph has a significant amount of unused, tillable land and many parishioners with gardening experience. A principal goal of this ministry is to grow healthy, organic food that we can distribute to organizations that serve food-insecure populations in our local area.
Walk the Garden
The garden is a pattern of raised beds and worn paths. We welcome all parishioners of all ages to walk on the paths of the garden as often as you’d like. The foot traffic will help keep the weeds down in the paths. We only ask that you not walk on the raised beds and that you don’t pick the produce.
Pray in the Garden
The garden is also a spiritual opportunity. Walking the paths of the garden can be a meditative experience. Being aware that you are in the midst of a diverse and abundant living environment can offer unique insights into the life of God among us. We invite everyone to use the garden as an opportunity for spiritual practice whether you are tending the crops or just strolling the paths.
For more information contact…
-Carrie Kirchner at 330-314-2914 or hornyakcarrie@gmail.com
-Jim Merhaut at jmerhaut@stjosephaustintown.org
