Monett Cares leads revitalization of community garden; produce offered at Monett Library

Mickey Eary, the city administrator for the city of Monett, introduced Bailey Wolf of Monett Cares and asked for an update on a community garden revitalization project that the group has led.

"The project is going even better than expected," Wolf said, describing an Earth Day launch followed by regular volunteer work days held most Wednesdays, weather permitting. She said the group coordinates a community work session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and that the garden is open to volunteers during daylight hours any day of the week.

Wolf said donations from businesses and individuals have led to a large yield. "We have tons of peppers, we have squash, we have herbs, we have tomatoes, strawberries," she said, adding that some strawberries had already been picked by her children. She told residents the garden is located behind the police station on a dead-end road and that produce is available for free pickup at the Monett Library.

Eary thanked Monett Cares and said the group was the first recipient of the city's Monett Matters recognition program. He praised volunteers for taking pride in local improvement efforts.

The brief presentation included no motions or formal actions; Eary's remarks and Wolf's update closed without votes. Volunteers and residents interested in helping or picking up produce were directed to the garden behind the police station and to the Monett Library for distribution information.