Community gardening class teaches participants how to grow their own food

March 20, 2025

By Daniel Moctezuma

The Belton Journal

Helping Hands Ministry partnered with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to host a six-week class that teaches people how to grow their

own fruits and vegetables. The Growing and Nourishing a Community Garden program is designed to help people become more self-sufficient by teaching them how to grow their own fresh produce.

The first class took place on Monday from 10- 11:00 a.m. and continues weekly at Helping Hands Ministry. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in gardening techniques, container planting, and maintaining a sustainable food source.

Alicia Jallah, executive director of Helping Hands Ministry, spoke about the inspiration behind the initiative.

“I personally enjoy gardening, and I can see the benefits of being able to teach people how to grow their own fruits and vegetables for their households,” Jallah said. “Groceries are expensive, and this is just a way for them to maybe be able to provide for themselves.”

Participants will work with container gardens and take-home tools such as shovels, gloves, and grow bags. The program is designed to be hands-on, allowing attendees to apply what they learn immediately.

Sherry Spence-Purcella, Bell County’s Better Living for Texans Extension Agent with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, explained the broader goals of the program.

“We want to increase exercise and the intake of fruits and vegetables through gardening,” Spence-Purcella said. “Our main goal is to help people grow their own food, so they can reproduce, re-harvest, and regenerate their gardens.”

The class will cover a variety of crops, including kale, cabbage, beets, red leaf lettuce, and other seasonal vegetables. For those with limited space, alternative gardening techniques such as container and balcony gardens will be introduced.

Megan Riggs, a registered dietitian and nutrition education coordinator for the Bell County WIC program, attended to support the program’s emphasis on healthy eating.

“We promote healthy eating at WIC, and gardening goes hand in hand with that,” Riggs said. “If you can grow your healthy foods at home, you’re more likely to eat them.”

Helping Hands Ministry is also working with AgriLife Extension on additional programs related to nutrition, cooking, and physical fitness. The community garden will remain accessible beyond the six-week course, allowing participants to continue harvesting what they need while contributing to its upkeep.

For more information or to register, residents can contact Helping Hands Ministry.