June 30, 2011
10,000 Garden Challenge Registers Garden Number 4,000
St. Louis-area gardener receives $500 gift certificate to farm and home supply store.
Mary Haux of Ferguson, Mo. has been selected to receive the fourth $500 Tractor Supply Company gift certificate through her participation in the 10,000 Garden Challenge. Haux was the 3,585th gardener to register at http://www.AgriMissouri.com. The 10,000 Garden Challenge encourages all Missourians to get their hands dirty in the effort to get 10,000 gardens growing across the state.
"The response to the 10,000 Garden Challenge thus far has been outstanding," said Gov. Jay Nixon. "The First Lady and I continue to see the momentum build with more gardeners getting on board to grow local produce, give a boost to the economy and support Missouri agriculture."
Haux grows vegetables, ornamentals and native plants in her backyard garden, which she enjoys for both the fresh produce and the beauty of her plants.
"I just like being outside, being in the garden and seeing the results," said Haux. "I prefer annuals because they are just so showy, and that is what my mom always used."
Haux will receive a $500 gift certificate from Tractor Supply Company and will be featured on the 10,000 Garden Challenge website.
"The 10,000 Garden Challenge is intended to connect Missourians with agriculture, local foods, the outdoors and healthy eating and Ms. Haux serves as an excellent example of using a variety of plants in a small garden space," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler.
The 10,000 Garden Challenge kicked off March 18 with an announcement by Gov. Jay Nixon, First Lady Georganne Nixon and Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Dr. Jon Hagler encouraging Missourians to connect to agriculture by growing fresh produce, native plants and ornamental flowers in their backyards and communities. Since that time, over 4,000 Missouri gardeners have registered their plots in the 10,000 Garden Challenge. Missourians can register their gardens as individuals or as groups at AgriMissouri.com. The 10,000 Garden Challenge website offers helpful gardening resources, including tips on vegetable planting, calendars and health and nutrition facts
After every 1,000th garden is registered, a drawing is held for a $500 gift certificate from Tractor Supply Company. Pamela Sample of Harrisburg, Mo., was the first gardener in the 10,000 Garden Challenge to be awarded a gift certificate. Sample was the 272nd gardener to register at AgriMissouri.com. Bill Buron of Springfield, garden number 1,811, was the second winner in the Challenge. Fred Reinkemeyer of Henley, Mo., garden number 2,505, received the third certificate.
To learn more about the 10,000 Garden Challenge, visit AgriMissouri.com. For more information on the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit mda.mo.gov.