“We received many thanks and gratitude from the gardening class, many didn’t want the program to end,” she said. “Others talked about coming back because they feel they missed a few lessons which would have been beneficial to them, like harvesting, and many wanted more information on how to harvest and how to keep accurate records of their harvest.

“One lady talked about how she was supposed to provide a meal for her college class, so she went to her garden to get vegetables she needed and thought that was cool to just go outside and pick what she needed,” Rose added. “It was her first time gardening and she was amazed and said she will be back.”

And as many of the gardeners grow much more than they can use themselves, or even give away to family members, friends and neighbors, several participated in the Medicine Root farmers market selling their surplus.

“One of the gardeners was able to earn enough money to put a down payment on a vehicle,” said Rose.

This year’s gardening program finished up on with a graduation ceremony on October 17 with 43 participants, and with January fast approaching Rose is already busy preparing for her next class of “budding” gardeners.

Pine Ridge is what is known as a “food desert” defined by the Department of Agriculture as “parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas.”