Giving From The Family Garden

Her grandparents’ love and generosity helped feed and rebuild their community.

- Karie Chatham Mount Olive, Mississippi

Growing up, I’d never heard the term “community garden.” I suppose it’s more common in larger cities, where a garden at home is not always possible, but the benefits of a community garden are vast—and in a way, thanks to my grandparents, I’ve had one all my life.

My brother and I grew up picking corn and peas in the early summer mornings on my grandparents’ farm, when school was out and our parents worked during the day. We would pick, complain and pile our produce in white 5-gallon buckets at the end of the rows.