Interview with Reed Johnson
Community Operations Manager at Royal Teton Ranch

The Community Garden is located in the tree farm in close proximity to the Cafeteria and has a greenhouse for extended growth season. The garden enthusiasts have also recently put up a fence around the garden to protect the plants from animals. The following is a conversation with Reed Johnson, who you often see spending the evenings and weekends working the land.

When did you become interested in gardening?
I grew up on a farm in Northern California and became interested in gardening after I went to College in the Los Angeles area. Living in a large city, in a 2nd floor dorm room had a large impact of feeling cut off from the land. During the summer break I fell in love with gardening.

What is your vision for the Royal Teton Ranch Community Garden?
The Community Garden is an opportunity to connect to the land and the food we eat. Staff and volunteers are welcome to come and work in the garden. It is an opportunity for each one of us to learn from one another and work together as a team. Gardening and raising food is unique to each person. Most of us who work here are on staff with day-time jobs and we would welcome people here to work the gardens during the days. People who want to volunteer can email Mary Anne as our contact person for Volunteers In Action. It seems we always have things that need to be done and help is always welcome.

What are some of the things you are growing this year?
Planted outside in beds we have asparagus, beets, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, lettuce, onions, garlic, potatoes, turnips, parsley, radishes, and more. In the greenhouse in preparation for outside we have tomatoes, squash, herbs, flowers, and more. We also have new fruit trees that have been planted; cherries, apples, peaches, plums, and apricots.

Volunteers take home what they grow or may donate produce to the Cafeteria. Come dig in the dirt, plant some seeds and enjoy the wonders of organic gardening!