Youngs plot destroyed
GAIA offers reward
BY TYSON SMEDSTAD
There have been rumors swirling in recent weeks about vandalism that happened at the Garrison Community Garden.
Mike and Deb Youngs and their two daughters, Allyson and Kaitlyn, plant and tend to a large garden in the back half of the Garrison Community Garden every summer. Proceeds from the Farmers Market, Harvest of Main and direct sales go into the girls’ college fund and usually cover transportation and books.
A few weeks ago, just before harvesting of some vegetables, the crops were destroyed.
At that point Young said it was a total loss.
“With the destruction of our south garden by the Manor, I will be terminating any plants that may have survived,” Mike said. “Without knowing what was sprayed, we will not chance our customers’ health.”
Crops lost were potatoes, beans, beets, sweet corn, cantaloupe, squash, cucumbers, onions and carrots.
Mike has been gardening the same plot since 2016.
He noticed a problem when he was weeding one day and the edges were dying.
A few days later it had gotten much worse and it wasn’t just the edges anymore.
“You could see the pattern where it had been sprayed,” Mike said. “They (the agronomists) said you’d have to be an idiot to assume it wasn’t sprayed intentionally.”
Deb said, “I’m just glad whoever it was, left everyone else’s gardens alone.”
Mike posted a video online documenting the damage.
“Everyone can have differences in opinions, but to do something as childish as this takes me back to elementary school,” Mike said.
