Head Start Garden 2007
The University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist, Andy Read, and Fit Phelps are partnering with Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare to grow a garden. Fit Phelps, funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health and executed by The Community Partnership, seeks to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in the county as well as promote a more active lifestyle. A good way to accomplish that is to involve people in growing vegetables. It instills pride of accomplishment and a positive physical outlet as well as a sense of ownership/investment. This often provides more incentive to incorporate the produce into the diet. Pathways is located on East Tenth Street in Rolla.
In 2007, Fit Phelps helped young children learn about growing vegetables with the Rolla Head Start garden and a specialized population group at the Sheltered Workshop garden. Both of these were highly successful, so Fit Phelps decided to put a garden in a place that would serve a larger population.
Pathways director, David Duncan, was aware of the program’s focus and is enthusiastic about the project’s potential. The University of Missouri Extension and Fit Phelps will provide manpower and budget for installing the garden.