We are trying to raise money for a FULL TIME, paid position for a Garden Coordinator (see attached job posting) at the UT Gardens: Crossville, The Plateau Discovery Gardens.

So, we have come up with a program that we believe you might be interested in. We are offering you an opportunity to be one of the 50 to participate in our FIRST ever Plateau Select vegetable program. Since this is our first time doing this; this program is ONLY open to Master Gardeners and Friends of Garden members. We (Master Gardeners along with personnel from Plateau Research Education Center) will plant and grow a variety of American Select vegetables. (see attached information and registration)

Starting in May and for 20 weeks (should you join) you will receive a 1/2 bushel of vegetables. Some weeks you will receive vegetables that you will know what to do with them. There will be other weeks that you will receive vegetables (kale, radishes, etc) and say to yourself, "what I am going to do with this?" Good news! We will supply you with recipes for those vegetables from our Master Gardener/Chef (professionally trained) Dean Towers. There will be an array of vegetables every week. 

You are now thinking, 1/2 a bushel is ALOT of vegetables for just me and my husband (or just you). And you are probably thinking what is the price for all of the great vegetables for 20 weeks? $600 in a one time payment (cash or check) or two payments of $325. Now, you say, WOW, that is a lot of money for me to pay. BUT, you can ask 5 friends to split the cost of the program (and share the 1/2 bushel of vegetables every week, or each person can get the 1/2 bushel of vegetables 4 times throughout the program). Then you are only paying $100 for 20 weeks of fresh American Select vegetables. How cool is that? And the great thing, is you know where your vegetables were grown---in Crossville, on SR 70. :) 

I have to be honest, there is a risk. If there is a freeze, drought (or TOO MUCH RAIN) or any other natural disaster that wipes out the crops; there are no refunds. There is a risk. 

When you pick up your box, you will also have a survey inside the box. The survey is about the vegetables that you received that week. We want to know, how the vegetable tasted, how it looked, etc. Because this is our first year, we will want your feedback for future plantings. People like tomatoes but some don't like Beefsteak tomatoes. So, we would like to know that the Beefsteak tomato looked good but didn't taste good as the Brandywine. 

The following week you will bring your box back and get another clean (sterilized) box full of vegetables. We ask that you pick up your vegetables on YOUR pick up day (1/2 the people will pick up on one day and 1/2 will pick up on the other day). If you are on vacation and will not be able to pick up your box, we ask that you let us know a head of time OR get a neighbor to pick up your box (and let them enjoy your vegetables).

Any questions please feel free to contact

Walt Hitch at 484-0034

or me (Erin Fletcher) at 456-8367 or my email [log in to unmask] 

Think about it, reach out to your neighbors and friends and see who wants to share locally grown vegetables for 20 weeks. Help us raise money for our Garden Coordinator while you eat healthy vegetables and learn new recipes.