ward garden

I found out that a member of our ward  works independently with one of the local nurseries. They loan him a plot of land and he tries out different seeds and  grows plants on it. He gives some of the plants to the nursery, uses some of the food for himself, and sells some to local businesses. This year he told Bishop that he wanted to plant a bunch of food and let ward members come help weed and pick food for themselves. Bishop agreed to the idea, but kept it quiet until the first food was  ready. Last sunday they told us  green beans were ready for picking. Monday I went out there for 3 hours and picked weeds while I picked beans. I harvested 6 ice cream buckets full for myself and probably another 2-3 lbs. to share with others. I took a bag  to 2 neighbors, two of my visiting teaching sisters (on my old list), and one bag to a sister on my new VT list. The next day I washed them and sat and snapped beans while I watched my favorite tv shows. (yard crashers and design on a dime) The next morning I finally pulled out my canner ( the first time in maybe 16 years), and processed 12 quart jars of beans. I was nervous about using my canner since it had been so long, but I had success without any problems! Why have I not used it  in so long?  :P