“Oklahoma Gardening” challenge will benefit communities
Monday, May 5, 2025
Media Contact: Trisha Gedon | Sr. Communications Specialist | 4057443625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
As part of the golden anniversary celebration of “Oklahoma Gardening,” viewers are being issued a challenge that can help those in need in their communities.
Casey Hentges, Oklahoma State University Extension associate specialist and show host, said viewers are asked to plant an extra row of produce in their gardens this year and donate the produce to a local food pantry.
“The Plant-A-Row program has been recognized by several of the “Oklahoma Gardening” hosts over the years and we thought our 50th anniversary celebration this year would be a good time to reintroduce it,” she said. “Plant-A-Row is a special program that encourages home gardeners to dedicate an extra row in their garden to growing fresh produce and donate the harvest to local food banks and pantries. Gardeners who participate will be making a meaningful difference in the lives of fellow Oklahomans facing food insecurity.”
With winter weather no longer an obstacle, gardening season is getting into full swing. Oklahoma gardeners already have some plants in the ground, with others to follow soon. When sowing seeds or planting seedlings, add an extra row and become part of the challenge.
Hentges said gardeners can grow anything they’d like to donate – fruits, vegetables and herbs are welcome at food banks and food pantries.
Glencoe Food Pantry volunteer Cathleen Taylor said the food pantry is an essential part of her rural community.
“Donations of fresh produce and farm-raised products are important to our food pantry,” she said. “Our clients can’t access fresh produce without driving about 20 miles to the nearest grocery store. We want to provide our clients with fresh food choices to help them maintain a healthy diet and life. We would welcome donations from gardeners in the area to help us meet the needs of our small community.”
To have your donation recognized in the Plant-A-Row challenge, gardeners need to fill out the online form available on the “Oklahoma Gardening” website. “We are hoping individuals will each aim for a 50-pound goal to donate, whether it’s buckets of beans and tomatoes or a few watermelons,” Hentges said. Participants who donate and fill out the contest form will be entered into a drawing for a new garden tiller. This campaign will run all gardening season, and a winner will be announced later in the fall.
“Our website also has a directory of food resource centers across the state,” Hentges said. “We’re looking forward to seeing how many gardeners participate and how much fresh food is donated this year.”
For more questions about the Plant-A-Row challenge, email oklahoma.gardening@okstate.edu.
“Oklahoma Gardening” has been educating the viewers about gardening for the past 50 years, and we want this year to be a celebration of that knowledge by giving to those who need the food the most,” Hentges said. “We hope that you will help us.”