Just moments away from a busy Long Island main road is a place of
sanctuary and nourishment. It is like
entering an Eden, of sorts. Step through
an arched entryway, and a visitor discovers neatly cultivated rows of
vegetables and raised beds stretching across the property of St. Mark’s
Episcopal Church in North Bellmore. There are root vegetables, greens, summer
squash and colorful flowers bursting from the earth. It is a peaceful place and one with a
purpose.
 |
| Susan Salem and Annie McPartlin are Co-Chairs of the Garden at St. Mark's in Bellmore, Long Island |
St. Mark’s member Susan Salem – a longtime local farming advocate –
founded the Garden at St. Mark’s a year ago with co-chair Annie McPartlin. Susan is also the Saturday distribution
manager at Restoration Farm. She felt
the church property could be put to more productive use to address a real need
in the community, that of feeding the hungry.
Most assume that Long Island is made up of affluent communities and
carefully manicured lawns, but a 2010 study on Hunger in America by the
organizations Feeding America, Long Island Cares and Island Harvest estimated
that 1 in 10 Long Islanders seek relief from hunger each year at food pantries,
soup kitchens and shelters.
The Garden at St. Mark’s seeks to address the problem. According to its informational materials, “The
mission of the Garden is to have the church and community working together to
enhance the environment through organic farming. The connection of soil and spirit, and the
reverence for God’s earth will serve as an outreach ministry to bring healthy
and nutritious food to those less fortunate.”
A grant from Episcopal Charities helped to get the project started.
The Garden at St. Mark’s has already reaped an abundant harvest of
results. “We were able to donate more
than 1200 pounds of fresh organic produce to the Long Island Council of
Churches Emergency Food Pantry in Freeport in our first season in 2011,” says
Annie, a retired English teacher and avid gardener. “It's wonderful to
know that we have been able to provide healthy, fresh food to those less
fortunate.”
“The Garden has brought a great deal of recognition to St. Mark's,” says
Annie. “There were many people in the Bellmores that thought the church was
closed, and even more who had no idea of the beautiful grounds on which the
church sits.” She explains that parish
members have responded positively, although at first some were skeptical.
But, they've seen what a great ministry The Garden at St. Mark's is and how its
impact has reached far beyond the walls and grounds of the church itself.
Like any living garden, it continues to grow and evolve. “One of the things that I love about The
Garden at St. Mark's is that we are still in the process of becoming,” says
Susan, “And, that in itself, has become part of our identity and has brought
many wonderful things to our door.”
This year, two different agencies that work with
developmentally challenged adults reached out to the garden offering teams of
volunteers who have taken charge of one of the raised beds.
“They are so excited to be growing food and were thrilled to
learn that they were capable of starting everything from seed, rather than
buying transplants from the store,” say Susan. “Their joy is contagious!”
Annie adds that they also have school groups and Girl and Boy Scouts
coming to the Garden to learn about sustainability and the joy and serenity of
digging in the dirt and producing something healthy, tasty, and
beautiful.
Susan and Annie continue to hone their farming talents. Both are Master Gardener Interns having
completed a 12-week course through Nassau County's Cornell Cooperative
Extension in the Fall of 2011. Susan has
also become a bit of a farming evangelist, and has advised other area churches
on how to start their own gardens for the hungry.
“Our goal for The Garden at St. Mark's in our second season is to
educate people about their ability to grow fresh produce right at their own
homes – edible landscaping if you will – no matter how big or small their
spaces are,” says Annie. “We also hope to make people aware that hunger in
America isn't somewhere else – it’s right here among us on Long Island.”
The
Garden at St. Mark’s aims to be self-sufficient. A farm stand offering produce from the garden is
open every Sunday from 11:30 AM to 1:30 up until October 28 to help cover basic
expenses for the charitable efforts.
“We are always looking for volunteers,” says Annie. “No experience is necessary, and any age is
appropriate. We would really like to have a regular core of individuals
we can count on. As the Garden grows, so does its reach and
popularity. We need folks not only interested in gardening itself, but in
fund-raising, publicity, farm stand work, and so many more things that go into
keeping this Garden a place of enrichment, comfort, and peace.”
The Garden at St. Mark’s is located on the property of St.
Mark The Evangelist Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Avenue, North
Bellmore, Long Island. Those interested in visiting
or volunteering can contact Annie at anniemcp@verizon.net
