Finance and Administration Cabinet
Governor’s Garden expands to include fruit trees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Governor’s Garden expands to include fruit trees

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2009) – Today students from Western Hills High School’s Agricultural Education classes and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) club worked with Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller to plant 24 fruit trees as an expansion of the Governor’s Garden, located on the grounds of the state-owned Berry Mansion. 

“The addition of these fruit trees will help us continue to provide local produce to the Access Soup Kitchen in Frankfort while increasing the community’s awareness of environmental issues in Kentucky,” said First Lady Jane Beshear.  “Gardening is a fun, healthy way to bring fresh vegetables and fruits from the backyard to the table while reducing our carbon footprint and saving money.”

Since the first phase of the Governor’s Garden was planted in May, 2009, approximately 375 pounds of fresh produce have been donated to the Access Soup Kitchen, with 565 pounds harvested overall. 

Today’s expansion included peach, plum, apricot, apple, cherry and pear trees.  According to Steve Meredith, Facilities Management employee in the Finance and Administration Cabinet and project manager of the Governor’s Garden, any time during the dormant fall and winter months is a good time to plant fruit trees.  He said he chose to plant right now primarily because the availability of inexpensive whips (small trees) is much greater in the fall season and allows the trees time to get better established before the growing season. 

The Governor’s Garden is a collaborative effort with the Finance and Administration Cabinet, Western Hills High School, Kentucky Proud, and Access Food Pantry to develop and grow a primary source of sustainable, local, healthy food.  It is a part of the administration’s Green Team initiative, which strives to promote sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental preservation. 

“The Governor’s Garden is just another example of Gov. and Mrs. Beshear’s commitment to green Kentucky,” said Sec. Miller.  “This garden is a learning tool not only for the volunteers who have helped with its development, but for all Kentuckians.  It shows how small changes in your home and community can have a significant, positive impact on the environment.”

For individuals who want to begin their own home gardens, more information, including gardening tips, instructions and diagrams, is available on the Green Team’s Web site at http://greenteam.ky.gov/garden/.

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