This year’s planting season, which can begin as early as late November in our area of Texas, has produced a bountiful harvest at La Posada. We are quite proud of this season’s results. The pictures are proof positive. La Posada’s vegetable garden is not only a resource for healthy additions to the shelter’s daily diet, but it is also provides a great teaching lab for clients.
At La Posada, we are committed to protecting God’s earth and all creation through ongoing ecological and environmental sustainability practices. These practices are incorporated into the shelter program’s established life-skills education curriculum. On an ongoing basis, our conservation practices have shown clients and visitors the benefits gained from water conservation and the environmental sustainability achieved by protecting soil and vegetation through composting. An added benefit for clients is expanded learning opportunities, thereby increasing future employment opportunities for them in these and related businesses.
For example, we introduce clients to the use of rain barrels for irrigation, composting for protecting and nourishing vegetation and how to use gardening tools and equipment. Producing fresh vegetables for the shelter’s menu also provides us the opportunity to teach about the relationship between a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and achieving and maintaining good health.

We took advantage of this year’s beet harvest, by canning and selling them at our recent Hands and Hearts Fundraiser, along with other client crafts.