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Success Story

The Hope-Growing Kountry Garden of Mrs. Ora

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Mrs. Ora Jones, a Master Gardener and lifelong learner, has transformed her passion for gardening into a powerful tool for community education and service through “Mrs. Ora’s Kountry Garden” located in Gonzales, Louisiana.

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A Legacy of Love for the Land

Mrs. Ora's journey began in her childhood, where her parents' 8-acre plot became her first classroom. "My dad had vegetables, fruit trees, and the whole nine yards," she recalls. This early exposure to agriculture instilled in her a deep appreciation for fresh, homegrown food and the hard work behind it.

Building Community Through Food

Today, Mrs. Ora and her husband Sherman are continuing this legacy. They grow fresh produce distributed monthly at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and their former community in Lemannville through Nourish Louisiana. Their work provides nutritious vegetables to those in need.

Nurturing Young Minds

As a certified Louisiana Master Gardener since 2021, Mrs. Ora's passion extends to education. She enjoys teaching kids about the origins of their food by:

  • Conducting workshops at the local library, teaching kids to make jam and jelly 
     
  • Using hands-on activities to connect kids with the growing process 
     
  • Encouraging curiosity and wonder about agriculture

 

 

"Those kids are little sponges," says Mrs. Ora. "They're just waiting there. Put a little water on them and they grow just like a plant."

Mrs. Ora

Overcoming Challenges through Innovation

Even though Mrs. Jones has had success, she still has problems, like wildlife eating her crops. She has applied for the FY25 EQIP program for high tunnels, to protect her crops and make the growing season last longer.

A Future Perspective

Mrs. Ora's goals go beyond her current projects. "I'm going to go do what I love to do, and I haven't had any regrets yet." Her plans include creating essential oils and hair products using herbs, and also expanding educational programs.

The Fruits of Labor

"Mrs. Ora's Kountry Garden" is more than just a piece of land; it shows how passion, persistence, and community spirit can make things happen. From strawberry-fig jam to amazed looks on kids' faces when they learn where food comes from, Mrs. Ora is building a legacy that will last for years. When it comes to the future of farming and helping others, she is a great example of how hard work can nourish the body and the spirit. With love, knowledge, and a little dirt under your nails, anything can grow.

 

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