Eagle Scout Candidate Simplifies Gardening for the Disabled

From the Tinley Patch (IL). Video at article link.

"Boy Scout Alex Gattone is aiming for his Eagle Scout status, while helping the elderly and disabled gardeners of the community with raised garden beds and a rainwater collection system at the community garden.

Alex Gattone needed an Eagle Scout project, and the Oak Forest Park District needed some help accommodating elderly and disabled residents who wished to garden in the community plots.

Gattone, a member of the Tinley Park-based Boy Scout Troop 385, is a Marist High School freshman. He teamed up with Park District Commissioner and community garden organizer Joe Conway to plan for his project.

Conway suggested that Gattone draft a plan for two raised garden beds for individuals who cannot easily bend over, but would still love to garden in the plots on 151st and Long. The project also included a rain barrel structure designed to capture water runoff.

Gattone took it from there.

He worked with local businesses for the supplies, managed a budget and supervised 30 on-site volunteers last Saturday. The group broke ground around 8 a.m. and had nearly finished the garden beds by noon. The boys also spread mulch in various locations, and cleaned up the garden site.

Eagle Scout status is a prestigious ranking within the Boy Scouts of America organization."

Where is our legion of federally-sponsored know-nothing gardeners...you know...the Food Corps? Oh wait--they're only for school gardens! I say we make Alex in charge of them!