Home | Contact Us | Volunteer | Client Grievance Policy |  Privacy Policy
– Kansas City Community Gardens
  • Programs
    • Become A Member
    • Beanstalk Children’s Garden
    • Community Partner Gardens
    • Giving Grove Orchards
    • Individual and Family Gardening
    • Rent A Plot
    • Schoolyard Gardens
    • Volunteer
  • Store
    • Plants
      • Cool Season Plants
      • Herb Plants
      • Warm Season Plants
    • Seeds
      • Cool Season Seeds
      • Warm Season Seeds
      • Flower Seeds
      • Herb Seeds
      • Unique & Fun Seeds
    • Asparagus, Leeks, Onions, Potatoes, & Shallots
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Fruit Trees & Berry Plants
    • Garlic
    • Merchandise
    • Supplies
    • Tiller Rental
  • Resources
    • 2022 Seeder’s Digest
    • Find A Garden Near You
    • How To Videos
      • Planting and Maintenance
      • Harvesting
      • Fruit Maintenance
      • Cooking
      • Virtual Workshops
    • PDF Guide Sheets
      • Gardening Guidesheets
      • Fruit & Veggie Info Sheets
    • Planting Plan Tool
    • Recipes
    • Garden Grants
      • Sprout Micro Grant Program
      • KC Grow
    • Blogs
      • Schoolyard Gardens Blog
      • What’s Growing At KCCG Blog
  • Workshops
  • Events
    • Community Days
    • Gardens at Sunset
    • Fall Family Festival
  • About
    • KCCG Mission and History
    • KCCG Staff
    • KCCG Board of Directors
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Donate
  • En Español
  • Programs
    • Become A Member
    • Beanstalk Children’s Garden
    • Community Partner Gardens
    • Giving Grove Orchards
    • Individual and Family Gardening
    • Rent A Plot
    • Schoolyard Gardens
    • Volunteer
  • Store
    • Plants
      • Cool Season Plants
      • Herb Plants
      • Warm Season Plants
    • Seeds
      • Cool Season Seeds
      • Warm Season Seeds
      • Flower Seeds
      • Herb Seeds
      • Unique & Fun Seeds
    • Asparagus, Leeks, Onions, Potatoes, & Shallots
    • Sweet Potatoes
    • Fruit Trees & Berry Plants
    • Garlic
    • Merchandise
    • Supplies
    • Tiller Rental
  • Resources
    • 2022 Seeder’s Digest
    • Find A Garden Near You
    • How To Videos
      • Planting and Maintenance
      • Harvesting
      • Fruit Maintenance
      • Cooking
      • Virtual Workshops
    • PDF Guide Sheets
      • Gardening Guidesheets
      • Fruit & Veggie Info Sheets
    • Planting Plan Tool
    • Recipes
    • Garden Grants
      • Sprout Micro Grant Program
      • KC Grow
    • Blogs
      • Schoolyard Gardens Blog
      • What’s Growing At KCCG Blog
  • Workshops
  • Events
    • Community Days
    • Gardens at Sunset
    • Fall Family Festival
  • About
    • KCCG Mission and History
    • KCCG Staff
    • KCCG Board of Directors
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Donate
  • En Español
January 4, 2018  |  By Rob Shoffner In What's Growing At KCCG

KCCG Volunteer Spotlight – Roger Shelton Harvests & Donates 16,838 Green Beans

Roger-Shelton-Blog1
2
1
1

KCCG would not be nearly as successful or productive without the help of volunteers. In 2017,  386 volunteers put in 2387 hours this year, which helped KCCG save approximately $19,000 – $23,000 in labor costs.

One of these volunteers is Roger Shelton, who does more than just volunteer. Shelton, an avid gardener, also donates his personal garden harvest to his children, friends, neighbors, and even strangers that walk by his house. This year, the bulk of his harvest went to the GAP (Grandview Assistance Program). Shelton estimated that he donated several hundred pounds of fresh produce this year!

Shelton has been a member at KCCG for 3 years and is in his 2nd year volunteering.

“I purchase about 95% of my seeds and plants and 100% of my fertilizer and insecticides from KCCG. I find their quality of seeds to be excellent and their plants to be the best at very affordable prices.”

Shelton has gardened at various locations around Kansas City including his own backyard, Meadowmere Park in Grandview, Consolidated School District #4’s Bus Barn, and at a rental plot at the KCCG headquarters in Swope Park.  He’s had success growing all kinds of varieties using KCCG plants and seeds but this year, Shelton had the most success growing green beans, which he harvested a total of 16,838!

“Yes, I count them. I enjoy numbers and like to let people know what you can grow in a very small plot. This year, I harvested 16,838 green beans. That is equivalent to about 160 pounds. In one small 4×4 space this fall, I planted “Provider” green bean seeds from KCCG and that plot produces 1,420 green beans, or about 14 pounds.”

The success of Shelton’s gardens can be attributed to his attention to detail, mainly early planting dates. By getting a head start, Shelton makes good use of each planting season from spring through fall.

“I produce a lot because I take a 4 x 12 raised bed and depending on the seeds or plants, I can plant two and sometimes three successive crops in the same year. My 4 x 12 becomes an 8 x 12 and possibly a 12 x 12.”

Shelton has no intention of slowing down. Going into this winter, his plan is to grow more and give away more in 2018.

“Giving away several hundred pounds of fresh produce was unbelievable but I would say that the person that benefitted the most was me. I got a lot of exercise, met some great people, and got so much satisfaction in growing the gardens and giving the produce away. I’ve met a lot of great people at KCCG, not only the staff, but volunteers just like me. I am 74 years old and in good health and plan on doing this as long as I am able.”

harvest donation provider green beans volunteers
Previous StorySelecting Seeds for Schoolyard Gardens
Next StoryStaying Warm With Pre-Spring Activities

Related Articles

  • VOY-Sally-Cobb
    KCCG Celebrates Volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
  • Roger-Shelton2
    Introducing KCCG's 2020 Volunteers of the Year!

Recent KCCG Blogs

  • School Spotlight: North Kansas City High School Wednesday, 29, Jun
  • Taste Test Contest Winners – Spring 2022 Thursday, 23, Jun
  • School Spotlight: Tomahawk Elementary Tuesday, 14, Jun
  • School Spotlight – Roeland Park Early Childhood Development Center Monday, 6, Jun
  • Come Visit the Beanstalk Children’s Garden Tuesday, 24, May
  • New Recipe Video – Quick Pickled Red Onions Tuesday, 17, May
  • New Recipe Video- Grated Raw Beet Salad Tuesday, 10, May
  • Thin Your Plants with a Side of Ranch – New Recipe Video! Monday, 2, May
  • Tomato Days 2022 – Your Official Guide To KCCG’s Warm Season Plant Sale Wednesday, 27, Apr
  • Test Test Evaluation Contest Monday, 25, Apr

Kansas City Community Gardens

6917 Kensington | Kansas City, MO 64132
Phone: 816.931.3877
Email: contact{at}kccg.org
Hours
Mon-Fri : 9am-5pm
Open Tuesdays until 6:30pm
(March 29 – May 24 and August 2 - August 30)
Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Also closed on July 2nd and 4th and Labor Day

Get the latest KCCG News

Click here to sign up for our newsletter.
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram

Copyright KCCG 2020