The Green Bay Packers, Brown County UW-Extension and Green Bay Vet Center broke ground Tuesday on a new Veterans’ Garden in Green Bay on Emmet Street.
Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt, Brown County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrick Moynihan and several Vet Center and UW-Extension representatives were there for the ceremony.
Packers employees, veterans and UW-Extension employees worked together to build the garden as part of the semi-annual Packers Give Back Day, building garden beds, constructing a shed and gazebo, assembling a water tank and compost tumbler and creating a path.
“We are proud to be joining the Vet Center and UW-Extension in this cooperative effort that will touch so many lives in our area,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “It is so important to recognize and give back to those who have served our country, and this garden and the opportunities it offers will provide a therapeutic place for veterans to come together.”
Some of the produce grown in the Veterans’ Garden will be donated to local pantries to distribute food to those in need as part of Planting with a Purpose which works with gardeners to plant a garden plot and donate fresh produce to local pantries.
The Veterans’ Garden is one of many gardening programs led by the Brown County UW-Extension Community Gardens Program. The group encourages residents to plant, grow and harvest their own produce.
Folks looking to get involved in the community gardening opportunities can join in the Planting for a purpose program, which kicks off May 11th with a "Plant and Pledge" event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.at the Brown County UW-Extension building at 1150 Bellevue Street in Green Bay.
