Ada's Acre (est. 2010)...
In searching for ways to help during these economically difficult times and knowing that some families cannot afford the expense of fresh foods, we are offering garden space to residents of the Morton community. There is also a garden plot that is being tended by church members to provide fresh vegetables to those in need. Extra hands are always welcome.
Ada's Acre was named in honor of long-time church member Ada Cross, who has been with our Heavenly Father for many years now. Ada's love of the garden was often seen at church potlucks, especially through her famous rhubarb pies! What better tribute...
If you would like to reserve your spot for next year or for any further information on this mission project, contact the church at 309.263.7672 or click here.
Psalm 68:10
Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
Ada's Acre was named in honor of long-time church member Ada Cross, who has been with our Heavenly Father for many years now. Ada's love of the garden was often seen at church potlucks, especially through her famous rhubarb pies! What better tribute...
If you would like to reserve your spot for next year or for any further information on this mission project, contact the church at 309.263.7672 or click here.
Psalm 68:10
Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
2023 brings Year 14
And its own set of challenges. An early, very dry spring meant not a lot of grass being mowed for us to do our mulching. When it finally started to rain, harvest had begun and there just was not enough time to harvest AND mulch. So then the weeds took over. In the middle of the blessed mess, we received a generous grant from the Morton Community Foundation to put in permanent fencing on the long sides of the garden! We left the ends open so that the tilling can be done with little interruption. We will put that fencing in each year as we have in the past. It will be SO nice to not have to pound fence posts, pull fence, and then take it all back out at the end of each season, just to start over the next year. That is a LOT of fence!!
Despite a challenging year, the season resulted in the third highest harvest year since we started keeping track ~ 4,569 pounds!!
Despite a challenging year, the season resulted in the third highest harvest year since we started keeping track ~ 4,569 pounds!!
2022 - Lucky #13
First big harvest of the year
2021 - Year 12
Another year of crazy weather and bugs and critters. Started out dry, then it just would not stop raining. The rabbits REALLY enjoyed spending time in the garden. In the end, the garden produced its 5th best year with 4,371 pounds.
And along came 2020...Our 11th year
2020 was a unique year, to say the least. With most of the world shut down, travel limited, a lot of time was dedicated to the garden. Weather-wise, it was an unusual season, but in the end ~ Ada's Acre broke our all-time record:
4,734 pounds of produce was grown!!
Donations to Community Harvest, WeCare, and Creekwood Apartments continue.
4,734 pounds of produce was grown!!
Donations to Community Harvest, WeCare, and Creekwood Apartments continue.
2019 ~ Our 10th Anniversary
What will Year 10 bring?? Started out -- WET! So much rain. Then came the heat. And finally....Vegetables!! This year we struggled and most weights were down from the previous year. We still managed 3,316.5 pounds of produce shared with our community.
When this "little" project started so many years ago, I don't believe anyone thought that 10 years later we would still be growing. God blessed our ground (and our backs!) and Ada's Acre continues to bloom.
When this "little" project started so many years ago, I don't believe anyone thought that 10 years later we would still be growing. God blessed our ground (and our backs!) and Ada's Acre continues to bloom.
2018 ~ Year 9
Our second highest year ~ 4,550.5 POUNDS OF PRODUCE GROWN!!
The garden season wrapped up late September as all but a couple of areas were cleared and hauled away. Each season is different and provides its own surprises and challenges. This year was no exception.
Last year we were able to get in an early spring planting of various greens and radishes whereas this spring did not allow us the same luxury. Carrots and spinach all but refused to grow this season while our experiment with combining sunflowers and cucumbers proved to be a learning experience with lots of sunflowers and few cucumbers.
In total, the garden produced 4,550 pounds. The second best since we have been keeping records. As one looks at the details of this year versus 2017, we see that only 7 varieties outperformed last year while 14 underperformed. The return of squash and sweet potatoes to this years garden definitely helped offset these shortfalls.
Now we pause and watch the leaves fall then the snow fall and finally, once again, the return of spring.
Last year we were able to get in an early spring planting of various greens and radishes whereas this spring did not allow us the same luxury. Carrots and spinach all but refused to grow this season while our experiment with combining sunflowers and cucumbers proved to be a learning experience with lots of sunflowers and few cucumbers.
In total, the garden produced 4,550 pounds. The second best since we have been keeping records. As one looks at the details of this year versus 2017, we see that only 7 varieties outperformed last year while 14 underperformed. The return of squash and sweet potatoes to this years garden definitely helped offset these shortfalls.
Now we pause and watch the leaves fall then the snow fall and finally, once again, the return of spring.
2017 ~ Year 8
4,047 pounds produced!
2016 ~ Year 7
Update: The 2016 garden season has ended with our second largest production year ~ 4,395 pounds of vegetables delivered to so many in our community this year alone! Over 16,000 pounds produced in the last four years... God is good every day.
Little bit of a late, dry start to the year, but Ada's Acre is still providing lots of fresh vegetables to WeCare, Community Harvest Food Pantry and now to the residents of Creekwood Apartments. God has blessed us with health and friends so that we may continue this mission for another year!
Little bit of a late, dry start to the year, but Ada's Acre is still providing lots of fresh vegetables to WeCare, Community Harvest Food Pantry and now to the residents of Creekwood Apartments. God has blessed us with health and friends so that we may continue this mission for another year!
2015 ~ Year 6
Our 6th year has started off with pretty perfect weather and plenty of help! We have had another pretty successful season and a new addition this year. Thank you to Great Rivers Presbytery and the Morton Community Foundation for their support!
2014 ~ Year 5
We thought 2013 was a great year...we have finished up our harvest for the 2014 year. We are so grateful for the help and support received this year. A record-breaking 4674 pounds of produce was provided from Ada's Acre!! That is a retail value of over $13,000! GOD IS GOOD!!
2013 ~ Year 4
2013 has been an interesting year for the garden. We again nearly doubled the size from last year. It has been a cool spring and fairly mild through the summer. As of the first week of August we have provided over 1500 pounds of fresh vegetables to the Morton community this season!! Getting geared up for a second planting. We finished up the season with nearly 3500 pounds donated to local families and food pantries. What a wonderful mission for our community!