The unique "Heavy Hitter" strain of okra in the DSU Wiley Community Garden makes an iPhone 5 look small.The DSU Wiley Community Garden, on the outskirts of campus, is bursting with life this summer. Green beans, peppers, melons, kale, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, tomatoes — the list goes on.
And who can forget the obligatory okra? This year’s okra is growing with an extra punch thanks to a seed donation of a new strain that is known for its heavy production.
The “Heavy Hitter” seeds were donated last year by Ron Cook, a retired Oklahoma schoolteacher who took interest in Delta State’s Fighting Okra mascot.
“We planted them in the back of the garden, and they’re massive,” said garden volunteer and former Delta State instructor Lacey Fitts. “They’re a lot bigger than any okra I’ve seen before, and it grows really large, really fast.”
Also rising strong this year are four fig trees, including one that sits very close to Andy’s 5th Ave. QuickStop. The storeowner’s young son has also shown a strong interest in the garden and has remained dedicated to watering the plants.
“The idea is that as the tree continues to grow in the public space, people will just help themselves to figs,” said Fitts.
The community garden opened on Earth Day in 2013 and has continued with solid participation from members of the community and campus. The property where it’s located was donated by the Wiley family in memory of Roy Wiley, a Delta State professor emeritus.
And it works on a volunteer basis — those who help water, weed and maintain the property are allowed to eat away. On occasion, volunteers will harvest the space and sell produce at the Cleveland Farmer’s Market.
Michael Paulmeno, electronic services librarian at Delta State, has stepped up to help organize the volunteer efforts.
“Working in the garden has not only allowed me to make new friends, but helped me learn a new skill from people who are experienced in growing plants,” said Paulmeno. “I would recommend people get involved for those reasons. You would also be helping to support locally grown food in a space that may not otherwise be utilized.”
Those who take part really do reap the benefits.
“I really like the idea of bringing people together from all over the community to grow real, healthy food,” added Fitts. “We live in an area with very fertile land, but a lot of people still don’t have access to fresh vegetables.
“I like our work days when everyone’s out there working together, sweating together and laughing together. It’s fun to take home bags of food that we all grew together.”
For more information, or to get involved on a volunteer basis, contact Paulmeno at mpaulmeno@deltastate.edu, or visit the garden’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DSUWileyCommunityGarden.
***
The garden is committed to educating the Delta State and Cleveland communities on the cultivation of fresh, healthy, local foods and food systems; preserving campus green space through beautiful, edible landscapes; and fostering collaboration among Delta State and the wider Cleveland community that gratifies the desire to share good food around a common table.
