Green Thumbs

Killeen Municipal Court Judge Barbara "Bobbie" Weaver was the guest speaker at the March 6 meeting of the Killeen Heights Rotary Club.  "A pro-active approach where juveniles can grow vegetables under supervision to pay off their fines" is the way Weaver explained the Killeen Municipal Court Community Garden.

The garden is located on a half acre of land near the Killeen Rodeo Arena and the Killeen Independent School District agricultural farm behind the Killeen Civic and Conference Center on W.S. Young Drive. The young offenders have a chance to get their hands dirty, pull weeds and help grow vegetables and plants for the benefit of charitable non-profit organizations.  "It's constructive punishment and we are delivering our first crop of onions to the Food Care Center of Killeen," Weaver said.

The gardens are on raised beds and resources Weaver explained include the Bell County Extension Agency, the Texas Master Gardeners, KISD, and the Keep Killeen Beautiful Committee.  "Individuals, businesses, and organizations can sponsor a raised garden bed" she added.  Donations are also needed since the youth need shovels, garden hoses, wheel barrows, and garden soil. 

For more information on how you can help, call 501-7869 or email support@kmcgarden.org.