Kane County Volunteer Garden Sprouts State Service Award
The Kane County Government Volunteer Garden was selected as the Healthy Futures category winner in the Governor's Hometown Awards (GHTA) program, which gives formal recognition to those who contributed to projects that improved their community's quality of life.
In its inaugural year in 2022, the Volunteer Garden grew an abundant yield with 1,031 pounds donated to the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry (www.bataviafoodpantry.org). The 24-by-24-foot garden plot was developed and maintained on the Government Center Campus in Geneva by four Kane County staff volunteers, and included different varieties of tomatoes and peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, cilantro and basil. Every week volunteers then delivered their harvest to the food pantry.
On September 27, 2023, the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service presented volunteers with the Office of the Governor Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service Certificate of Appreciation. The ceremony was attended by Serve Illinois Downstate Volunteer Programs Coordinator Jacob Jenkins and Volunteer Programs Coordinator Cecilia Maciel Martinez.
Kane County staff volunteers presented certificates included: Kurt Lebo, Spatial Solutions Officer, Information Technologies Department; Matt Tansley, County Planner; Clair Ryan, Recycling Coordinator; and Brenda Buschbacher, Communications Analyst. In addition, external volunteers Jenny Estes with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County and Jenny Bauman with Geneva Home Depot also were presented with certificates for their contributions including materials and supplies for the garden such as mulch, plants and other supplies. In addition, Neri Landscape & Maintenance also provided support with sod removal and compost.
“The Kane County Garden yielded another successful crop this year, and we were able to give back over 500 pounds of food to the local community," Lebo said. “Our goal was to give back to the community and also establish campus camaraderie with County employee volunteers. We have been very successful in each but are always looking to expand our volunteer base."
Lebo, co-creator of the garden, said that the harvest so far has resulted in a total of nearly 1,600 pounds donated since its inception.
