COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - In spite of record heat and severe drought, it was another banner year for the Branch Area Food Pantry’s Plant A Row For The Hungry project. The garden this season yielded just over 46-hundred pounds of vegetables.  That included tomatoes, corn, carrots, and potatoes.  Since its inception several years ago, the garden has produced over 22-thousand pounds.

The garden project, located adjacent to the Branch Area Careers Center, also benefited from numerous donations throughout the year, including a grant from Omni Credit Union to purchase a Mantis composter and an aluminum ramp for the garden shed donated and installed by T.J. Rampit.  In addition, the Coldwater Area Garden Club, Master Gardeners, Michigan Works, and other community volunteers contributed over 800 hours of work during the 5 month growing season. Plans are next year to expand the garden by 900 square feet.