Date: Friday, April 17, 2015
Contact: Sister Virginia Welsh, osf,
1416 Nebraska Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43607
(419) 241-6465
Representative Marcy Kaptur will be present on Saturday, April 18, 2015 when Ujima Urban Agriculture, under the direction of Padua Center, will be erecting a Hoop House, garden growing system. Padua Center will use Hoop House as a season extender and also for year round gardening.
Sister Virginia Welsh, Director of Padua Center, said that Rep Marcy Kaptur first approached her about enlarging the gardening project at Padua Center. Hoop House is the first step in enlarging the agriculture program. The process of getting a properly zoned location and procuring appropriate permits took about 18 months. Sister Virginia complimented Jason Askins and Brian Retar for their work and persistence in getting the building permit.
Padua Center is an educational site which provides academic services for suspended and expelled children, as well as after school tutoring and free summer camps. Padua Center has a strong emphasis on educating children about gardening, healthy living and making good food choices. “The Hoop House is an excellent way to involve children in growing healthy food during the school year. When the children can go to the Hoop House and pick lettuce for a salad, they will be much more eager to eat fresh food,” said Sister Virginia Welsh.
The erection of the Hoop House is a community project and will involve about 25-30 people. Otha Carr, garden manager, will oversee the Hoop House. Wade Smith, of the Whitehouse Daylily Farm, served as a consultant for the project. Jason Askins, PE, is the project engineer and coordinator. “Engineers without Borders,” of University of Toledo, the group involved in removing the Hoop House from its former location, will return on Saturday to assist in erecting it. St. Joseph Catholic Church, Sylvania, Ohio, will provide 10-13 volunteers and the Nia Youth Group of St. Martin de Porres Parish will also get involved in various aspects of the project.