Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - If you have a home garden, no matter how big or small, congratulations! Count yourself one of 15,000 farmers, many of whom are already members, and don’t even know it.
Got some tomatoes, cucumbers or anything growing in your garden? Then you can be registered for free as one of 15Thousand Farmers.
Gary Heine, of Heine Brothers Coffee, co-founded 15Thousand Farmers earlier this year. He says the goal is to gather gardeners and grow more.
“So, we'd like 15,000 farmers growing food in their backyard, front yard, on their deck; wherever they have space," Heine said.
Heine is geared up on gardening, and says he wants everyone to join the fun for many reasons. “You get healthy, fresh food for one thing, that's great for you. It's a way to connect with your family, and do something together with your family. It's a way to share your produce with your neighbors and get to know your neighbors and a way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, not shipping from California and Bolivia,” he added.
15Thousand Farmers is a resource for those starting out or needing some help getting your green thumb greener.
Heine told WHAS11, “For example, the 4x4 foot gardening boxes, they have a calendar, like on this day you plant this and this day you plant this, and we have workshops to teach people how to grow who have never grown before."
If you don't necessarily have a green thumb to create a flourishing garden, well, 15Thousand Farmers is an organization made just for you, with great tips to get you started and it's not too late.
“Summer might be wrapping up, but there's still lots of opportunities to still grow food this week and next week. This time of year you can grown arugula, beat, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, green onion, lettuce, pea, radish, spinach, summer squash, and sunflower,” said Heine.
So far there are nearly 1,200 members of 15Thousand Farmers. If you have a home garden, then you are already a member, just register for free at www.15thousandfarmers.com and get your "dirt" card. If you aren't a member yet, find everything you need to know to get your garden going at their website.
