LZHS Senior Wants You To Help The Jubilee Garden Grow

senior Miranda Flores is working to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, and has chosen a project to achieve it that benefits those less fortunate in the community.   

’ Jubilee Garden at Route 22 east of Quentin Road, has been growing produce locally for more than 10 years. 

Over the last two years, the organically-grown fruits and vegetables have primarily benefited the and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.

To earn her Gold Award, Flores created the idea behind the "Fields of Faith Family Day," which is designed to garner more volunteers to assist with the corn crop in the Jubilee Garden.  

“The crop needs many hands to be weeded in order for it to prosperous,” said Kathy Gill, Jubilee Garden director.

Gill said last year, two-thirds of the crop was "choked out" and lost due to weeds, because there were not enough volunteers to help clear them.  

The corn crop grown from the Jubilee Garden is one of the largest crops that supplies food for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and the Emmaus House Community Dinner, in addition to supplying food to other nearby food pantries.

“This project will have a positive impact on the entire community by uniting Lake Zurich residents towards a collective goal of aiding and raising awareness of the garden and its cause for the local impoverished,” said Flores. 

Flores is asking residents to participate in the event this Saturday, July 23, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. by volunteering a couple of hours of their time to help weed the corn crop.  

Lunch will be provided, in addition to a short program where Flores will speak in-depth about her project and its benefits for the needy in Lake Zurich and surrounding communities.

The corn stalks not only feed the hungry, but help to raise funds for the garden when the stalks are sold at the Fall Harvest Sale in October, said Gill.

Pumpkins and raspberry jam made from raspberries grown in the Jubilee Garden are also sold to help raise money so the garden can continue to grow.

The five acres of land for the garden is donated by local farmer Bill Haberstroh, whose family also helps by volunteering in the garden.

Gill said the garden has four plots, but only two are being worked because more volunteers are needed to utilize all of them.

Last year, the Jubilee Garden produced roughly 3,400 pounds of produce, which was donated to local food pantries and Emmaus House.

The Lake Zurich Rural Fire Protection District also plays a key role in ensuring the productivity of the garden.

“We wouldn’t have a garden if it weren’t for the fire protection district; they fill our reservoirs at least every nine days — or when we request them to,” Gill said.

The garden has two 1,100-gallon water reservoirs for dry periods when there isn't sufficient rainfall to support the crops.

“I want to tap into the needs of Lake Zurich's environment by
helping food pantries, while tying the community together,” Flores said. “This effort will help to expand the program and continue the efforts to feed the community's less fortunate.”

In addition to being a Girl Scout, Flores is also a member of Interact Club, the National Honor Society, the art and ski clubs, and the LZHS band.

For more information on the Jubilee Garden and the "Fields of Faith Family Day," visit http://stfrancisdesalesjubileegarden.weebly.com/ or call St. Francis De Sales Church at (847) 438-6622.