Great work, Amanda and Hannah!

The above quote is so true, and only the good Lord knew what bounty would be harvested through that one seed, that one idea that was planted way back in 2002.  Fast forward to October 2010 and suddenly “planting a seed” is the perfect way to illustrate the value of all our America’s Grow-a-Row volunteers, the power of countless willing hearts and hands, and the amazing phenomenon of something that started very small, but when nurtured and cared for by many, grew into something much larger than we initially expected.  For that very reason, it’s quite fitting that we use the above quote to announce some very exciting news, as it was a single apple that put us over the 1,000,000 pound mark this past week.  That’s right, since my daughter and I started this program just 8 short years ago, along with the help of thousands of supporters, America’s Grow-a-Row is proud to announce that it’s team of volunteers has donated 1,000,000 pounds (or a stunning 4 million servings) of fresh, healthy produce to feed our neighbors in need.  The hunger problem is complex, but our hunger solution is simple.  

What a Day!

Governor Chris Christie Volunteers at America’s Grow-a-Row

comcast video 06-2010

Chip Honored With the Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference

Chip Takes Top Prize!

Berrie Foundation Pays Tribute to New Jersey’s Unsung Heroes for Acts of Community Service

The Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference celebrates New Jersey’s unsung heroes—everyday people whose extraordinary volunteer efforts have made a real difference in the lives of others. Created in 1997, the annual award program honors nineteen individuals who have performed outstanding community service or an act of heroism.

Recipients of 2010 Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference Honored at Ramapo College Ceremony

We literally bought a farm in 2010!  After several months of working with some very, very generous benefactors as well as securing the winning bid at a local NJ farm auction, AGAR is now the proud owner of a spectacular 138 acre farm, with 130 acres on the property which can be farmed.  Imagine the possibilities and the amount of produce that can be grown and delivered to those desperately in need all across NJ with this enormous opportunity.  Conveniently located in Alexandria Township, NJ, just about 10 minutes from our official headquarters at Peaceful Valley Orchards, our new property will allow for us to expand our program well into the future.  That’s the good news.

The challenge for us is that the farm did not come with any fence, buildings or infrastructure, so there is a huge need for us to raise funds to make the property more functional. Thanks to generous donations, we have so far installed deer fencing around the entire property, and we will soon begin to drill a well for much-needed water. We planted on approximately four acres of our new farm in 2011 and began harvesting there in July.

We are excited to report this very good news about the long-term possibilities for America’s Grow-a-Row and our neighbors in need who will benefit from this fabulous opportunity. While owning our new farm is exciting, the task of continuing to build it is daunting. If you’d like to contribute to growing our infrastructure, you can visit our donate page or talk to Jackie Etter, jackie@americasgrowarow.org, 908-310-2824. Thank you for joining us in the fight against hunger.

A FRESH COAT OF PAINT — Owen Boyle, a senior from North Hunterdon and a resident of Bethlehem Township, puts the finishing touches on the Grow-A-Row pickup truck in the Polytech school’s paint bay. He plans on attending Penn Tech this fall. In the background is Sean Ortega, a Delaware Valley Regional High School senior from Kingwood Township.

With some technical autobody work instruction that included sanding, filling, dent repair and rust removal, the Autobody Restoration and Repair Polytech students are finishing the new paint job on a 1994 Extended Cab Chevy pickup that was donated by Mancini’s Landscaping to the America’s Grow-a-Row organization for use this spring.
The non-profit organization, under the lead of Hunterdon County resident Chip Paillex, fights local hunger by harvesting and donating local farm produce to local food pantries. Spencer Goldman, instructor for the Polytech program, was approached by the organization in the hopes that his students could help refurbish the pickup in desperate need of repair.

The students have taken the project as far as they can with the funding provided through Learn and Serve America grant funds awarded to the school last year. The vehicle still requires items that neither America’s Grow-a-Row or Polytech can purchase; specifically a new windshield, two new windshield wipers, four tires (size lt265/75 r 16 m+s), front and rear shock absorbers, two rear brake wheel cylinders and a Hurcliner paint kit for an 8-foot pickup bed. It is the hope of both organizations that community donors can be found to help them complete the project.

According to Goldman, the students were extremely conservative in their purchases for this project. In addition to replacing fenders, panels and doors, the students also built a bumper.  “It would be a shame to have taken it this far without being able to use it as planned,” said Goldman. “The students have worked over six months on it and they really want to see the vehicle ready to go. America’s Grow-a-Row needs this to help the less fortunate in our community.”
For more information about the project and donations, contact Goldman at 908-806-3855, ext. 15.

Thank you so much to this amazing crew for their hard work on our truck, donated to us

last year by Jim Mancini of Mancini Landscaping.  We’re thrilled to have not only a great-looking vehicle for the farm but one that runs better and is safer.   Here’s the end result – what a makeover!