A vegetable garden planted at the Chester County Youth Center (CCYC) in 2013 has grown into a flourishing partnership with Trellis for Tomorrow, a Phoenixville non-profit whose experiential programs focus on organic gardening, environmental education, and food security. To date, that garden, which consists of six raised beds and a self-irrigated hoop house, has harvested 17,000 pounds of vegetables – all donated to local food cupboards and CCYC’s cooking program. Chester County Youth Center Director Deb Maccariella said, “Trellis for Tomorrow is a terrific partner who assists us in offering a chance for our residents to get outside, learn where their food comes from, and watch something grow from a seed to a vegetable. The residents who work in the gardening program earn community service time by planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting. It’s so rewarding to observe the pride and excitement on our residents’ (and staff) faces when they see, smell, and hold the results of their nurturing and hard work.”

In the fall, the garden focuses on root vegetables like carrots, beets, and turnips. The CCYC garden is a community garden, and its success relies on the collective effort of its members. Each member contributes to the garden’s success through their individual efforts, whether it’s planting, weeding, harvesting, or sharing knowledge and resources.