CFI chief wins honor

Gardener's Supply Company, an employee-owned national catalog gardening company based in Vermont, is honoring Ronda Clark, executive director of Athens non-profit Community Food Initiatives, with a 2009 Garden Crusader award. Clark won first place in the "œFeeding The Hungry" category for her work on behalf of food security in Appalachian Ohio.

Since 2001, Gardener's Supply Company has annually recognized Garden Crusaders for "improving the world through gardening" and using their love of gardening to make a difference in their communities, according to a news release.

Garden Crusader Awards celebrate enthusiastic individuals who "garden beyond their own backyards to grow food for the hungry, beautify their communities, and help friends and neighbors discover the rewards of gardening," thereby "creating a new green space, feeding the hungry with their produce, restoring a piece of land or teaching about gardening and the environment," according to the release.

"Many local folks participate in CFI's efforts to feed the hungry," said Clark in the release. She received a $1,000 GSC gift certificate. "We are pleased to see our group effort recognized on a national level, and hope other communities will emulate CFI programs and activities."

"The judges were very impressed with Ronda's work at CFI," Sue Chayer, Garden Crusader coordinator, said in the release. "Not only does her organization encourage healthy eating among community residents, but CFI also teaches people how to garden, and provides thousands of pounds of fresh produce to people in need.

CFI promotes self-sufficiency with regard to the Athens region's food supplies. Besides community gardens, the group provides Edible Schoolyard programming and curricula for regional schools, works with the city of Athens and other partners on composting arrangements, hosts community workshops, and highlights the importance of Seed Saving and other educational projects.

CFI receives project funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund of Parkersburg WV, the USDA Community Food Project and Farmers Market Promotion Program, the city of Athens, Athens Foundation, United Appeal of Athens, Kramer Foundation and membership donations.