RISE would like to give a huge thank you to Agway True Value of Ballston Spa for their support of the Hedgerow House Garden. Every year Agway True Value donates a flat of vegetables and flowers to help get the garden started. “They are such a great support to our program,” says Julianne Thomas, Hedgerow House Director, ” We greatly appreciate their generosity.”
The garden is a big part of recovery at Hedgerow House. Working in the garden is therapeutic for individuals in recovery. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and self-worth for the residents who work in the garden who literally get to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor. As Julianne often says, “that garden has saved lives.”
Agway True Value of Ballston Spa is locally owned and operated by the Wallace Family. They have been in the Ballston Spa community for 100 years! RISE appreciates their contributions and support of our programs.
We also thank Cathy Ryfa, from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardner Program for volunteering her time to help Hedgerow House get their garden started!
A Master Gardener is a volunteer who:
- assists Cornell Cooperative Extension to provide educational horticulture programs for the public
- staffs a “question and answer” phone hotline
- has completed the Master Gardener Training Course offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension in conjunction with Cornell University Master Gardeners assist Extension personnel with soil and diagnostic clinics, demonstrations, exhibits, lectures, and phone inquires from Albany County residents.
Master Gardeners volunteer their time and share the knowledge they gained in the training sessions in the program with other gardeners in the community.
And we thank Program Supervisor, Nicole Smarro’s, Aunt Karen for her contribution of eggplants and bell peppers. Hedgerow House is looking towards a bountiful harvest!