Grant awarded in 2022:

Joseph Fox, Peabody Youth Services Librarian, has been designing, coordinating, and building his raised bed gardens since early spring. The Whitley County Master Gardeners awarded him a grant to recreate the beds that were destroyed by snow and ice during the previous winter. At the group’s September meeting, Joe reported on how he uses the gardens to teach children how to grow from seeds, plant propagation, identify diseases, plant rotation, composting, and harvesting.

Even more exciting, Joe has plans to establish bee hives, bring in more native plants, set up rain barrels, add perennials, and pollinators. He’s also in the process of organizing groups to pick up trash in the community. Supply kits can be checked out to those who are interested. Another project in the works is repurposing an old card catalogue as a seed library. Peabody Public Library is an excellent model for the promotion of sustainable horticultural.

Grants awarded in 2021:

In 2021, The Giving Gardens of Indiana received funds to supplement their Farm and Forest School and the implementation of a strawberry bed.  They will be doing a presentation later this year on their project.

Grants awarded in 2020:

The Purdue Extension Whitley County Master Gardeners awarded grant money to two organizations for 2020.  The first was the Columbia City High School Spanish IV class.  They implemented a “traveling gardens” program.  The second grant award went to the Peabody Public Library to assist in funding connecting people and nature. Gardens were created including a pollinator garden to educate children on the importance of pollination and a vegetable garden to supply cooking programs.  

In 2021, The Giving Gardens of Indiana received funds to supplement their Farm and Forest School and the implementation of a strawberry bed.  They will be doing a presentation later this year on their project

Grants awarded in 2019:

The first was to the Columbia City High School Spanish IV class.  The class established several travelling gardens that were showcased in several local schools.

The second grant award went to the Peabody Public Library.  The library plans on establishing a pollinator garden to increase community awareness of pollinators and the plants they need.