27-05-2025
Warren County gardeners to donate crops to fight food insecurity
INDIANOLA, Iowa — A new initiative in Warren County is helping fight food insecurity by inviting local gardeners to donate their crops.
The Master Gardeners program is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Through this program, garden enthusiasts learn more about plants and gardening in the home landscape and get connected to other local gardeners. The Warren County Master Gardeners is just one of the local groups associated with the program.
Bethany Cecot is the Master Gardener Coordinator in Warren County. She said one of their missions is to fight food insecurity. Three years ago, they partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department to create a Donation Garden, where they grow crops like tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, onions, eggplant, artichokes, strawberries, rhubarb, apples, peaches, pears, cherries, peas, potatoes, and several herbs.
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Over the last three years, all of the food grown in the garden was donated to the Helping Hands of Warren County, a local food pantry in Indianola.
However, the Master Gardeners wanted to expand their services and help more people throughout the county.
Cecot said that many residents in the southern parts of Warren County are experiencing more food insecurity because of the distance they have to travel to grocery stores. She said some people have to travel up to 20 miles, and as a result, this limits access to food that is nutrient-dense.
Therefore, she spearheaded the Plant, Grow, Share a Row project.
Gardeners in Warren County can either donate their crop surplus at the end of the growing season or intentionally plant extra fruits and vegetables, and the Master Gardeners will donate this food to pantries and community fridges across the county.
Free seeds will also be provided to community members who want to take part but don't have the extra supply.
Cecot said this project will help amplify the efforts of the Donation Garden.
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'There are seasons where things don't always grow as planned and so this is a way to bring in the community to help make sure that our pantries are stocked with nutritious foods and making that accessible to everyone,' she said.
Stacey Cole is a Warren County resident who just moved to the county two years ago. She said she wanted to join this program for the sense of community.
'I retired out of law enforcement, military a couple years ago. And having that group and sense of belonging, I've missed that the last couple of years. And it's nice to have a place to follow to and a group of gardeners is the place that I want to be with,' she said.
Residents can learn more about the program through the Warren County Master Gardeners. Their extension is located at 200 West 2nd Avenue in Indianola, or they can reach out through the following email and phone number: xwarren@ / (515)961-6237.
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