St. Vincent de Paul | Louisville

From Edible Louisville / "Edible Tidbits," May-June 2011

Like many of us, Jane Beshear was breaking ground at her home last month to prepare the garden for growing vegetables. But of course, when you live in the Kentucky governor’s mansion you break ground with a mission.

The garden at the mansion is one of five Governor’s Gardens to be built throughout the state this year. The gardens are part of a program Mrs. Beshear began in 2009 in an effort to increase awareness about the benefits of locally grown produce and reducing our carbon footprint. She also broke ground for a garden at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.

“I hope that the Governor’s Garden will help Kentuckians recognize the health benefits of locally grown produce and inspire many families and organizations to plant their own backyard gardens,” said Mrs. Beshear, in her Louisville appearance. “A garden doesn’t always require a large amount of space or a great deal of resources. A garden can be planted just about anywhere, and anyone can benefit from growing their own fruits and vegetables.”

Mrs. Beshear is working also to encourage a growing number of “affiliate” gardens, built at schools, nonprofit organizations and community centers. One such garden has been built in East Louisville in the Smoketown/Shelby Park neighborhood, where clients and case managers at St. Vincent de Paul have planted a no-till spring garden — the first in many years.