PARTICIPANT PROFILE

Judy and Phil Niedermeyer
Murphy, Oregon

HOW IT STARTED: Quinn’s Pump Service, owned by Bob Quinn, is a Murphy-based company familiar to many of us in the county. Phil Neidermeyer (P&D Small Excavating) works with Bob Quinn as an independent contractor. One afternoon, Phil was down at Bob’s office and noticed Bob had a large empty lot behind his office. Phil proposed putting in a garden and Bob generously agreed.

That was four years ago.

Bob donated the property, water, irrigation supplies, and $400 worth of manure as well as other supplies. Chris Locks from Murphy Country Nursery next door supplies a lot of the vegetable starts. Judy and Phil perform the labor – there are no other volunteer workers.

In 2007 the garden produced enough organic vegetables to donate over 700 pounds to the Food Bank, as well as the Senior Citizens Center, Gospel Rescue Mission, and the St. Vincent de Paul food kitchen. Last year, it produced over 1,000 pounds for the Food Bank.

PLANS FOR 2009: This year, Judy and Phil will again be supporting the Plant A Row effort, for which PAR is most thankful. The Niedermeyer’s will be contacting PAR to let them know what produce they plan to raise and when the crops will be ready for delivery.

Donations of land, materials, plantings and labor blossomed into the results seen here. What a wonderful example of community spirit and volunteerism – keep up the good work, and many thanks to all.