The document discusses the "Plant a Row for the Hungry" program where individuals plant extra rows of produce in their gardens to donate to local food banks and soup kitchens. At Sussex County Community College, produce was planted and donated to a local nutrition project, providing food for those in need. The article encourages others to participate next spring by donating their extra produce. Over 14 million pounds of produce has been donated through this program since 1995 to help feed the 33 million Americans facing hunger.

1. SUSSEX COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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SCCC GARDENING NEWS
Volume VII November 2010 Issue 3
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ONE COLLEGE HILL ROAD  NEWTON, NEW JERSEY 07860
Editor Martha Mahady
Plant a Row
by Martha Mahady
Photos by Martha Mahady
Plant a row for the Hungry is a program launched by the Garden Writers Association.
Individuals and volunteer committees are encouraged to plant an extra row of produce in
their gardens each year and to donate their surplus produce to food banks and soup
kitchens in order to help to feed individuals who experience hunger or are at risk of
hunger. Since 1995, more than fourteen million pounds of produce have been donated by
gardeners. This program can help make a significant contribution to reduce hunger for
the approximately thirty-three million people in America who have substandard diets or
seek emergency food resources.
At Sussex County Community College, Thomas Mahady planted produce to support
the Plant a Row program. Vegetable and herb plants were donated by SCCC's Jaci
Teune, County College of Morris Landscape and Horticultural Technology Department,
and Sussex County Master Gardeners. The tomatoes, peppers, and herbs: parsley, basil,
and thyme, were planted in the beds along the lower side of the E Building, and kept the
beds weeded and watered throughout the summer. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and
butterbush squash plants were also grown on the balcony of the L Building. Produce
from these gardens was taken to the Harvest House nutrition project at the First Baptist
Church in Sussex. There it was used to prepare lunch for those in need of food who
visited the church.

2. In October, tobacco hornwoms, large green caterpillars, appeared on some of the
tomato plants. These caterpillars eat tobacco and tomato plants and can cause quite a bit
of damage in the garden. However, since it was late in the season, the hoenworms were
allowed to stay. The adult of the tobacco hornworm is a sphinx moth, also known as a
hawk moth. These large gray moths are fascinating, flitting from flower to flower like
hummingbirds.
Plant a Row is a chance for individuals to help fight hunger in America at the local
level. Next spring, each member of the Sussex County Community College who has a
garden is encouraged to plant an extra row of vegetables and donate the produce to a soup
kitchen, such as Harvest House at the First Baptist Church in Sussex or Manna House at
the First Presbyterian Church in Newton, or to a local food bank.
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For a list of previous issues:
Contact the Editor at mmahady@sussex.edu