Gardener shares bounty

SNOHOMISH — The community garden, started by Snohomish resident Lillian Bartelheimer and others in 2006, continues to churn out fresh organic produce for people in need.

Bartelheimer has used part of her family’s 550-acre dairy farm in the Snohomish River valley to raise produce, and to help people.

This year, the project received a $4,000 grant from a regional center of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a fraternal organization, Bartelheimer said.

Volunteers from local churches, friends and even a few strangers have helped Bartelheimer out with the project, said Rosemary Randall, a friend of Bartelheimer’s.

People have held several work parties at the garden, Randall said. Students from local schools also have pitched in to harvest produce.

“What all of us should be doing is helping the rest of the people out,” Randall said. “It’s a wonderful way to help out to serve the community.”

Bartelheimer and Randall answered some questions about the community garden.

Q: How big is the community garden?

A: About 20 acres.

Q: What produce has the garden produced this year?

A: Organic produce including green beans, zucchini, pumpkins, corn, potatoes, onions, cucumbers and squash.

Q: Where do you deliver the produce?

A: To Volunteers of America in Everett, local service groups and food banks in Snohomish, Monroe, Lynnwood, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Seattle.

Q: How much produce do you expect to donate this fall?

A: Probably more than 50,000 pounds. That will exceed last year’s 30,000 pounds.

Q: Will the project continue in 2008?

A: “I don’t know,” Bartelheimer said. “I never decide until the present year is over.”

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.

@2. Breakout Header:How to help

Lillian Bartelheimer and others have raised produce in the Snohomish River valley to help the needy. For more information or to volunteer, call Rosemary Randall, a volunteer, at 360-568-8107.