Chuck's Chat - Welcome to June 2025
In case you missed it, here’s a reprint of a recent article recapping some Montgomery County Farm Bureau activities.
In February 2025, the Local Health Equity Action Team (LHEAT) of Montgomery County learned they had received a three-year, $15,000 yearly EPA grant to help address health disparities in Montgomery County. Realizing many residents within the county’s urban areas lack both space and quality soil conducive to proper garden plant production, a container gardening project was selected to help teach people to grow their own healthy food. The funds would help purchase plants, seeds, topsoil and amendments to provide recipients everything needed to successfully grow a container garden.
In mid-April, LHEAT learned that the EPA grant funds had been revoked, and the project was now in limbo. That’s when Montgomery County Farm Bureau and the Liberty Community Church stepped up with donations and manpower to help keep the project going. Tractor Supply Company, and Waters Hardware, both of Independence, agreed to provide reduced pricing on topsoil and humus. Plants and seeds were also donated by the Wildcat Extension District, TLC Nursery and Outdoor Living, and private donors. Montgomery County Farm Bureau collected empty plastic protein tubs from local livestock producers, and wood scraps for filler was provided by Chuck’s Country Creations.
Throughout late April and May, signups were held at the community food distribution sites in Coffeyville, Cherryvale and Independence. On three separate occasions, volunteers met in each town to prepare the tubs and gather supplies to distribute to the recipients. Delivery routes were established and small volunteer teams with pickups took the container garden materials to the homes of those who signed up. Some tubs were fully prepared with plants or seeds planted, while others received the items for later assembly. A publication of Kansas State Research and Extension container gardening information was also provided. Approximately 90 homes among the three communities were served. Caney offered container gardens through their Food Pantry. Tubs and enough soil and humus was delivered for 10 homes.
Many thanks go to LHEAT Lead Linda Follet, LHEAT committee chair Carol McLaughlin, USD 445 Director of Nutrition Services Casey Worden, Wildcat Extension District’s Horticultural Agent Kenny Dodson, Montgomery County Farm Bureau representatives Chuck and Julie Voelker, and the numerous other volunteers who assisted with the success of this project.
See ya down the road!
Chuck Voelker