

Plant A Row (PAR) is a nationwide, people-to-people program sponsored locally by UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and Community Food Bank. The goal is to connect home gardeners who grow extra fruits and vegetables with those in our community who are in need of that nutritious food. PAR volunteers pledge to donate produce through the Community Food Bank's network of food pantries and at PAR-sponsored events. PAR gardens are excellent projects for families, schools, and youth organizations.
PAR's aim is to make it convenient for home gardeners and others with extra fresh produce to find locations that welcome donations of any size and will guickly distribute the fresh fruit and vegetables to those in need. PAR Food Pantries is a listing of food pantries and community organizations currently accepting donations. Leave a message at 456-4151/mailbox #2 if none of these are convenient and a Master Gardener volunteer will contact you to work out an individual arrangement.
Learn more about the Plant A Row for the Hungry's national organization at Garden Writers. Learn more about hunger in our community at the Fresno Metro Ministry website.
PAR Events and Classes
Citrus Saturdays and SOS for PAR
2008 Citrus Saturday is February 9th.
Free PAR classes taught by UCCE Master Gardeners are offered as a part of Citrus Saturday. Past classes have been "Growing Citrus in the San Joaquin Valley" and "All About Citrus: Relative Merits of Varieties and Flavors". This year's Citrus Saturday class is "All About Citrus Trees" taught by Lee Fanucchi and Rodney Sakaguchi, UC Master Gardeners.
Another PAR FREE class will be held on Saturday, March 8th at 9:30 am - 12 noon at the Garden of the Sun located at 1944 N Winery. The class will be "Planting Summer Vegetables" taught by Marie Antoniou, UC Master Gardener. Come learn from the experts and feel like you can plant an extra row this spring to share with others.
Want to be on PAR's mailing list? Fill out a PAR Pledge Form or leave your name, mailing address, email address, and phone number on PAR's message phone: 456-4151/mailbox #2.
A free PAR Home Gardening class will be offered as a part of this PAR event.
Have questions about SOS for PAR? SOS for PAR flyer or leave a message at 456-4151/Mailbox #2 and a Master Gardener volunteer will return your call.

Gleaning Events
As PAR publicizes its goals and community events, many people call in who have fruit trees which they are unable to pick themselves. PAR is cooperating with other community organizations in an effort to meet this need and to prevent such tasty and nutritious food from going to waste. Additionally, fruit trees benefit our urban environment, so a goal of Master Gardeners is to encourage people to maintain healthy home orchards and make good use of the bounty they produce.
To Pledge
Individuals or groups who would be interested in taking part in "gleaning" activities, helping pick the fruit and vegetables that otherwise would go to waste, are urged to volunteer by calling the PAR message phone, 456-4151/mailbox #2.
Local Contributions
PAR is sponsered locally by the following organizations: