A lot of growing should be going on this summer at Fort Riley as Picerne Military Housing families will soon have an opportunity to grow their own produce in their own garden plot. 

A community garden for Fort Riley is being planned south of River Road in the Forsyth Neighborhood. The garden concept has come together after a collaborative effort between Picerne Military Housing, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Riley, Army Community Service and K-State Research and Extension at Fort Riley.

“The president and his administration have re-emphasized the importance of sustainability, and the first lady provided a tangible example with her desire to turn a portion of the rose garden into a sustainable vegetable garden,” said Col. Kevin Brown, Fort Riley garrison commander. “I think it is appropriate that we follow that great example,” he concluded.

Picerne Military Housing resident interested in learning more about community gardens at Fort Riley are invited to an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Forsyth Neighborhood Center. Residents will learn details about the community garden and how to volunteer for leadership roles within the community of gardeners. 

“We would like to see Families take ownership of the gardens, and by getting involved at this stage, gardeners can help to establish a strong core group that can keep the community garden successful for many years to come,” said John Pearsall, community management director for Picerne Military Housing. 

Susan Schoneweis, Fort Riley Research and Extension office extension agent, believes gardening is a great way to teach children where food comes from. 

“What better way to teach them than to help their Families grow their own food?” Schoneweis said. “Children are much more likely to taste and eat vegetables and fruits when they help grow and harvest them.”

 Anyone with can take beginning gardening classes from Fort Riley Research Extension from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Feb. 18 and 25 at the ACS Annex.

The classes will cover various vegetables, herbs, container gardening and garden layout for the best yields.

To register for these classes contact Schoneweis at 785-239-4375 or e-mail sschonew@ksu.edu.