The residents at St. Augustine’s Monastery will be able to enjoy the fruits as well as vegetables of the labor of Boy Scout John Krug and his army of volunteers.
The Oxford teen recently completed his community service project in order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout by spearheading construction of a garden area on the grounds of the Lutheran monastery.
Krug said the project was more difficult than he imagined it would be and included raising funds and getting donations for landscaping, fencing, vegetables and other material. A six-foot fence was necessary around the garden because in the past vegetables there were eaten by animals.
Materials and fencing cost more than $3,400. Major support was provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, with an $1,800 donation.
A fund-raiser at Red Knapps, in which 15 percent of their dinner business one evening was contributed raised $639. North Oakland VFW Post 334 donated $400. St. John’s Lutheran Church also contributed to the cause.
John’s mother, Julie, said several Oxford businesses contributed items for the garden, including Harvest Time, which provided many of the plants and vegetables, and Oxford Farm and Garden, which also supplied seeds and fertilizer. In addition, she said, Home Depot and other businesses, including Dominos Pizza donating food for the volunteers, contributed to the effort.
Vegetables that were planted included tomatoes, potatoes, radish, celery, peppers, zucchini, lettuce, green beans, squash and spices such as oregano, basil, dill and garlic.
But John and Julie both agreed that it was the large numbers of fellow scouts, their parents and others who did most of the work.
Julie said some large boulders needed to be removed in the garden area and one of the scouts? fathers came out with a small bulldozer and removed them. The garden also had to be leveled.
Many volunteers came out over a period of several weeks to help. John estimated he worked 60 or more hours on the project.
Julie said it is important for scouts to assist when others need help and said the members of John’s Troop 108, sponsored by the Oxford American Legion Post, played a large role.
John, who is 17, has an older brother, Brendan, who was an Eagle Scout, and said he still needs to acquire a couple more badges before he will become an Eagle. He needs to get the badges before his 18th birthday in April.
Scout Leader Ernie Baker, who suggested the project for Krug, said it turned out to be a wonderful project and great learning experience.
‘The garden will benefit St. Augustine’s not only with food that the garden will provide but also there will be enjoyment in planting, cultivating and caring for and harvesting the vegetables.?