The slogan for the Windy Hill Garden, where planting began May 14, is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” Posts are in but the fence is not yet completed at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Krumsville.

The church owns several acres Victor Berger regularly plants to farm crops.

He did not mind when the church said it wanted to use a part of the land this year, said Janice Clemmer, last year’s council president.

She had the idea about planting a garden at that time but was too involved to start work on it.

This year, the idea became a reality with Clemmer as chairman of the garden committee.

All crops will go to food banks in Kutztown and Topton, but if there is an overabundance, the bounty may reach farther.

Everything is being donated so there is no church money involved. The plot is approximately 25 feet by 135 feet.

Clemmer started naming the plants: snap peas, red beets, green beans, lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, radishes, turnips and peppers.

During the ceremony, cauliflower plants were planted so there was something to see rather than just putting in seeds.

Everyone was invited to participate whether or not they were church members. Six to 10 people turn out for each workday, said Clemmer.

In the church announcements Michelle Batz said 2-1/3 rows were planted and it was hoped they finish it the next workday.

Interim Pastor Dennis Ritter said he would lead those who wanted to follow him out the door at the front of the sanctuary and around the church.

The ceremony was a Blessing of the Gardens and Fields. With him to lead the ceremony were Greg Schappell with a can of water and Clemmer with the cauliflower plants.

The ceremony began with the blessing of the seed: “Let the miracle of life within these seeds burst forth yielding a bountiful harvest.”

The blessing of the soil was next: “Healthy soil is needed so that new life may emerge.”

Pastor Ritter took the watering can and watered the row in the garden: “Water gives sustenance and refreshes the soil and the seed.”

The sending song was “This is My Father’s World.”

The children were invited to plant the remainder of the plants.