La Crosse YMCA’s food forest is growing

From 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, kids
young and old get their hands dirty

The YMCA’s food forest has been a growing success.

Perhaps a pun was intended there.

But, it really has been. Each week, more and more people come out to check on the harvest. 

From 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at the La Crosse YMCA – except for July 6 – it’s a social gathering of gardening. 

There aren’t many weeds to pull, as mulch has taken care of most of that job. And, there’s not a lot to harvest yet.

But, Jill Miller says more and more people of all ages keep showing up, ready to help, socialize and listen to some good live music.

“This week, on the docket, we’re going to be hauling a little bit more rocks, we’re going to be doing some weeding and we’ll probably do, just a little bit of harvesting,” Miller said. 

You’ll see the forest on West Avenue in front of the YMCA, and you’ll likely hear that music, too. 

There’s always a little something to do. And, even if there isn’t much to do, as is the case a lot of time in June, Kids – and adults, as Miller has seen – can still just come get their hands dirty and get a feel for gardening and helping. The food forest takes care of that and much more.

“The implementation of the food forest has been so much more powerful and wonderful than we’ve ever imagined,” Miller said. “Our focus is the community and how to bring it together to really make this part of who they are.”