2022 Johnny Appleseed Organics Invitational

This is my official submission for the 2022 Johnny Appleseed Organics Invitational
“After being fed up with yet another round of food recalls, Erica decided to take matters into her own hands and planted her first garden in May of 2019. For Erica, growing food has endless benefits,
"I know where my food has been start to finish - the water it was given and that no chemicals are quietly risking my family's health. It gives me such peace and allows me to leave all my anxiety in the soil. Out in the garden, I just exist. I see my necessary contribution to the ecosystem."
Erica has gotten creative with reused and repurposed materials to expand her growing operation. She uses bamboo sticks, rat tail combs and fishing poles as stakes for plants that need support. After Easter, needing more pots for her plants, she purchased a bunch of marked down Easter buckets at the store for $.09.
“Beyond inspiring others to grow their own food online, Erica has been sharing seedlings and fresh produce with military families in her community. Her compassion for people combined with her passion for growing fresh produce manifests in a selfless and beautiful way. The pandemic has created more need in her community and Erica’s gifts have helped others cope. Erica has focused her attention on caring for family and herself to make it through this difficult time.”
-Urban Exodus “Growing Goodness in Georgia: Meet Erica of Gardening Under the Influence”