Growing Groceries draws its first crowd

  • Sarah Jackson
  • Tuesday, January 27, 2009 10:58am
  • Local News

I recently wrote a front-page story about the trend of growing your own food and a related “Growing Groceries Mentor Training,” which kicked off Jan. 24 in Everett.

Though I was pretty sure the new vegetable gardener training, also known as a “Train the Trainers” workshop, would be a cool endeavor, it faced challenges, including a $35 initial admission.

It was also pulled together on exceptionally short notice and had the goal of teaching gardeners of all sorts, including rookies, how to garden for food now so that they could go out and teach even more people to garden with food throughout 2009.

That’s ambitious.

I, however, have good news.

I just heard from Master Gardener Monica Novini, one of the organizers, who reported a great turnout, nearly 60 attendees.

Below are excerpts of Novini’s jubilant thoughts on the occasion. If you couldn’t make the first class, it’s not too late to join up for the training, which continues through October. Also, if you don’t have time for a monthly class series in your schedule, there will be a one-day Growing Groceries Expo Saturday, Jan. 31, to school wannabe gardeners.

Get details on that and the mentor training here. And, now, here’s Monica Novini, a Snohomish County Master Gardener.

The “Train the Trainers” Training was a smashing success! We were hoping for maybe 30-35 people. 59 people were there, many sitting in the back without tables. (Teacher) Holly (Kennell) was awesome!! The room was awash with learning, enthusiasm flowed thru the place, groups gathered to find appropriate outlets for this knowledge. What a GREAT bunch of people!!

We as a group are making a difference in this world. In this crazy time, we are empowering people be teaching them how to feed themselves. You know what they say, “Give a man a zucchini, feed him a meal. Teach him to grow zucchini, he can feed the neighborhood.” Well, ok, so that’s how I say it but imagine the impact we are having. Many people from the group are going to go out into communities, school gardens and community gardens and give people hand-on training for all aspects of food gardening.

We will never know the full impact of our actions. We won’t know how many people were able to stretch their money a little further because they now know how to grow some of their own food. We won’t learn about all the kids whose lives are changed because someone spent time with them in a garden and had a conversation that made them feel special. We won’t hear about the people whose health was improved by eating fresh, organic, nutritious produce grown locally either by them or from a community or food bank garden. We won’t be able to measure the benefit everyone gets from spending time in the dirt, learning where food REALLY comes from and getting back in touch with nature.

Just think, there were 59 of us. If each of us touches 10 lives, that is almost 600 people whose lives will be changed. Each of them then has an affect on others. It is like a ripple on a pond, ever increasing. And that was just the first class!! It IS possible to make a positive difference in this world and we are doing just that!

Growing Groceries is the brain child of Sharon Collman (WSU Extension Snohomish County). Look what she started!! Along with EVERYTHING else she does for us. She had a dream. She spoke life into it by sharing her dream. Enthusiasm has been outrageous and contagious. It seems that this is an idea whose time is here now. I am proud to be a part of the Growing Groceries Project. Thank you, Sharon. You are awesome!!! — Monica Novini, Snohomish County Master Gardener

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Family searches for answers in 1982 Gold Bar cold case murder

David DeDesrochers’ children spent years searching for him before learning he’d been murdered. Now, they want answers.

A SoundTransit Link train pulls into the Mountlake Terrace station as U.S. Representative Rick Larsen talks about the T&I Committee’s work on the surface reauthorization bill on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Larsen talks federal funding for Snohomish County transit projects

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Everett) spoke with Snohomish County leaders to hear their priorities for an upcoming transit bill.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Jury awards $3.25M in dog bite verdict against Mountlake Terrace

Mountlake Terrace dog was euthanized after 2022 incident involving fellow officer.

Everett City Council on Wednesday, March 19 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett council to vote on budget amendment

The amendment sets aside dollars for new employees in some areas, makes spending cuts in others and allocates money for work on the city’s stadium project.

Bryson Fico, left, unloaded box of books from his car with the help of Custody Officer Jason Morton as a donation to the Marysville Jail on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Books behind bars: A personal mission for change

Bryson Fico’s project provides inmates with tools for escape, learning and second chances.

Hawthorne Elementary students Kayden Smith, left, John Handall and Jace Debolt use their golden shovels to help plant a tree at Wiggums Hollow Park  in celebration of Washington’s Arbor Day on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Options abound for observance of Earth Day

Earth Day is just around the corner, and The Daily… Continue reading

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lake Stevens parents arrested in child sex abuse, bestiality case

Couple allegedly filmed 4-year-old daughter, shared material online, police say.

Lynnwood man, 66, killed in multi-vehicle crash on Highway 532

Another driver is in custody for investigation of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault as a result of the collision on Friday.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.