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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2012)
community june12 Gardner’s Farm and Home Supply is Still in the Family Gale and Rick Gardner have been operating Gardner’s Farm and Home Supply in Vernonia since 1994. Now their son Rich is joining the busi- ness with the hopes of expanding their operation. Rich recently moved back to Vernonia from Fort Bragg, CA with his wife Judy, where he had been working as a logger. Now he joins the family busi- ness and brings his experience with in- door growing equipment and hydropon- ics, which Gardner’s Farm and Home Supply will be featuring. Gale Gardner says she expects spring weather to get cooler and wet- ter in the future and also can see an in- crease in locals wanting to grow more of their own food. She projects a need for people in the Vernonia region to want to start their vegetables indoors earlier in the season and a need for increased knowledge, skill and indoor growing equipment. And so Gardner’s Farm and Home Supply is hoping to meet that de- mand with an expanded product line and assistance is setting up home growing systems. “Actually, a person could have an indoor garden all year round, grow- ing things like lettuce and tomatoes for salads, in just a real small area with shop lights,” says Rich. Gardner’s Farm and Home Sup- ply hopes to instruct people on the art of indoor growing, from start to finish, including information about soils, fer- tilizers, timers, lights, air movement and hydroponics. They will also sell all of the above. “There is a lot to it,” says Rich. But Gale says it is easier than keeping a separate greenhouse, which is difficult to keep warm in the winter. “Indoor grow- ing takes up so little room and is really not much of an expense,” says Gale. The Gardner family, who live directly behind their business, are very self-sufficient, raising all their own meat and most of their own vegetables. “We eat what we have,” says Gale, who notes that husband Rick makes his own sausage, bacon, hams and more. “We haven’t bought meat in years,” says Gale. They also keep about 100 chickens in portable cages for eggs and meat. They also grow a variety of berries. Gardner’s Farm and Home Sup- ply will continue to offer the same prod- ucts and services they have for years. Gale Gardner has lived in Vernonia since 1972 and is a third generation upholster- er. She continues to offer her services as part of the family business, making repairs and creating custom work for furniture, and things like seats for mo- torcycles, farm equipment and cars. They continue to offer animal feed, high end pet foods and wild and Vernonia Community Garden is Open! The Vernonia Community Garden officially opened to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 1 st . The garden is located next to the Vernonia High School behind the district office. The garden currently has container plots ready for rent. Each plot includes twenty-seven, 14”x16”/10 gallon plant containers for a cost of $20 for the season. The garden also includes a green house, composting bin, covered education area and storage shed. Members of the public are invited to rent a plot for the season and help make the Vernonia Community Garden a success. Applications are available at Vernonia Cares and Made in Vernonia. The Vernonia Community Garden is being organized by Penny Costley, Allison McLeod and Jill Hult as a project through The Ford Family Foundation Leadership Program. For more information or to volunteer please contact Penny Costley at 503-429-0196. 2012 9 domestic bird seed. They still carry electric fencing as well as animal health care products. Garner’s Home and Farm Sup- ply says they can and will special order supplies and equipment. “We’re here to please,” says Rich. “We can get pretty much anything someone wants.” Gardner’s Farm and Home Sup- ply is located at 19340 Biggs Rd, one mile north of Vernonia on Highway 47. You can reach them at 503-429-6481. Allison McLeod, Jill Hult, Penny Costley, and Pat Stacklie celebrate the grand opening of the Vernonia Community Garden. Under New Local Ownership Open Daily at 6:30 AM Restaurant Now Open Summer Reading Program at the Vernonia Public Library Tuesday, June 26th Stories and craft/activity 10-11 am Friday, June 29th 'Slumber Party' - movie in pajamas! 7:00 pm Saturday, June 30th Movie Matinee with popcorn 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 3rd Stories and craft/activity 10-11 am Saturday, July 7th Movie Matinee with popcorn 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 10th Stories and craft/activity 10-11 am Wednesday, July 11th Tye Dye Event 6:30 pm (Pillowcases for the kids will be provided to Tye Dye! All programs are free of charge. For more information call the Vernonia Library at 503-429-1818 NOW BOOKING: Tournaments Company Parties Class Reunions Family Reunions And More Men’s Club Meets every Wednesday at 5 PM Looking For A Father’s Day Gift? Gift Certificates Available Annual Memberships $2 Off Green Fees with this coupon 7 days a week expires 6/30/2012 Vernonia Golf Club • 15961 Timber Rd. • (503) 429-6811
