INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Every Monday morning, Lucille Havens drives west across the intercoastal toward what could be considered Indian River County’s “boondocks.” Out here, a pretty good drive north and west of Vero, pine and palmetto dominate the landscape, upon which can be found scattered homesteads, horses grazing in small, wire-fenced pastures, sandy-dirt roads. At the far end of one such road is Lucille’s destination – Shining Light Garden.
Often wearing a bright shirt that proclaims “All my weeds are wildflowers,” Lucille is one of about 25 volunteers who donate their time here, snuggling seeds into small trays, planting seedlings into long, neat rows, pruning, transplanting and otherwise tending what is now a 12-acre “truck farm.”
Shining Light Garden Foundation was established in 2008 to provide fresh produce for people in need. The concept began as “a 2.5-acre, backyard project” conceived by Winter Beach farmer and Florida native Joel Bray. Joel’s grandfather, Cleve McCloud, was a lifelong farmer who worked the land of John’s Island more than half a century ago, coaxing beans and other hardy crops from the salty, sandy soil, long before developers replaced farmers and the “crops” rotated from plants to concrete and steel.
Joel’s vision combined his passion for farming with his intense desire to help people, and Shining Light Garden, now a 501(c)3 organization, has, so far, provided some 35,000 bushels of fresh food – all free – to “the homeless, hungry and forgotten.”
The landowner has welcomed the garden project on her property and it continues to thrive, even recovering, time and again, from the damaging rains of the past year, under the skilled, loving hands of Joel and the dedicated volunteers.
As the project grew, Joel partnered with Greg Vafiades, a tall, out-going fellow who shares Joel’s passion for the garden and its mission. The two divvied up the responsibilities, which grew as fast as the sweet potatoes and onions.
“I do the farming, and he does the charming,” says Joel with a grin, his feet bare and his free-form beard and lanky ponytail dusted with gray.
It is Greg who gives tours and explains the operation, who seeks land and support, who discovers where needs exist and sees they are met, who enlists and organizes volunteers, such as Lucille. “Lucille is very faithful. She’s here every Monday morning,” says Greg.
“I heard about the garden a couple of years ago, and called Greg,” Lucille explains. “I lived in a condo in John’s Island and really couldn’t garden. And I liked the idea of helping people.”
She is often joined on these gardening trips by friend and neighbor Sarah Jane Moore, who says, “We’ve been friends for a very long time. Lucille is a frustrated gardener, she tried to grow things on the porch but. . . . .”
She shrugged, smiled.
“Then, when the recession hit, we thought, ‘wouldn’t it be great if we could dig in the dirt, grow things, and give fresh food to people who need it.’ And, when we heard about this. . .” she gestured at the heaps of sweet potatoes and the rows and rows of vegetables stretching beyond.
The women were excited about the idea of working the soil, planting, tending and seeing the – literal – fruits (and vegetables) of their labors.
They were also impressed that Shining Light is 100 percent volunteer-driven, top to bottom, directs 100 percent of its resources back into the garden and never charges anyone for the produce.
“We were out in the field planting yellow squash,” Lucille recalled of her first volunteer morning. “Then we planted peppers – and eggplant.”
Standing in the large, arched shade tent, which shelters a large crop of very healthy tomatoes, Lucille is completely in her element.
Peering around a stem from which droops a shiny, bumpy green globe, she explains, “These are the Heirlooms (tomatoes) we’re so proud of!” She cradles one in her palm. “They are ugly on the vine, not smooth and pretty. But fantastic on the plate.”
Lucille and Sarah Jane pointed out papaya and the herb area, fragrant with parsley, cilantro – Sarah Jane pinches off a leaf, sniffs and declares it “oregano.”
“I planted dill this past week,” Lucille added. Asked about the marigolds and nasturtiums hanging out beside the veggies, the women explain “companion planting:” apparently, placing certain flowers in with the vegetables helps keep the veggie-munching insects at bay.
Much of the produce from Shining Light Garden goes to the county’s senior citizens. Greg explains that the particular dietary needs and restrictions of many seniors are not always met. For example, some people can eat red cabbage but not green, so Shining Light makes sure it produces lots of the red variety.
“Many seniors on fixed incomes are really struggling in this economy,” Sarah Jane says. “We’re being told there is no inflation, but food prices continue to go up. It is hard for seniors.”
Lucille and Sarah Jane are happy to be part of a project that can fill such basic needs for so many.
Greg explains that the garden supplies numerous food pantries, non-profits and other entities, and countless families in need, including The Source, the Samaritan Center, Gifford Youth Activity Center, Youth Guidance, Head Start and many others, some 3,000 bushels of produce since September 2010 alone.
“Feeding the Hungry, One Garden at a Time,” is the motto.
To expand the current 12 acres now planted, an adjacent 10-acre plot has recently been made available and, Greg explained, the Foundation is currently working to raise money for fuel to operate the equipment needed to clear and prepare this new acreage.
Although Shining Light Garden is not exactly a misnomer, “garden” doesn’t fully describe the rows of potatoes, corn, rutabagas, onions, carrots, tomatoes, beets, beans and other crops.
For the volunteers, it is a vegetable farm, for the many recipients of its bounty, it is a blessing.
“It is so much more than a garden,” says Lucille. “So much more.”
Anyone who would like to know more about Shining Light Garden is welcome to contact Greg Vafiades at (772) 532-8777.
