An edible garden project spawned more than three decades ago by Holocaust survivor, Gerda Miller Blasbalg, has been revived in Richmond.
"She initiated the first edible garden and funded it herself," said Richmond's Ralph Blasbalg, of his second cousin.
"One day, on her walk to her meeting with the Gray Panthers (a senior empowerment group), Miller Blasbalg walked by an elementary school and she noticed the yard was mostly paved.
"She had an idea of turning the paved part of this yard into gardens of herbs and vegetables."
It appears she lobbied businesses and politicians, as well as a top restaurateur to help bring her idea to fruition.
In the end, Miller Blasbalg is credited for creating edible gardens at numerous schools throughout California.
Today, Ralph Blasbalg has brought her Edible Garden model back to life at the Richmond Jewish Day School. The longtime Richmondite, along with wife Gina Blasbalg, put the seed money down to get the development off the ground.
What separates this from other local garden projects, said Blasbalg, is that this is a multi-generational garden project.
Not only are all 83 students and staff from the school involved, local seniors and garden experts are also donning garden gloves and toiling the soil.
"Another unique aspect about the Edible Garden is that it is a year-round project, so students will also be working on the garden throughout the summer," said Blasbalg, adding he's working with a celebrity chef to have a summer picnic for the volunteers. "The students are going to learn how to make jam and learn about canning too.
"Part of the food that we grow will go to the Richmond Food Bank."
A tour of the site shows the new drip and soaker water irrigation systems, which were recently added, as well as the large planter boxes filled with herb plants.
There are also two bee colonies and the students hope to collect some honey later on this year.
"The children painted the Mason bee hives," added Blasbalg, saying they purposely chose Mason bees because they don't sting. "It's hoped that the garden will teach the young children gardening skills, composting, water conservation, bee pollination, sharing, and teamwork and most important pride in ownership."
He said the seniors will volunteer in the garden as well as serve as mentors to the children.
"Each class of 10 students will be responsible for one of the large planter herb boxes," he added. "The seniors group will have four planter boxes."
Once the garden is up and running, the students will plant a variety of vegetables, including heirloom tomatoes.
"Gardening teaches children responsibility," Michael Northy, principal at the Jewish Day School. "Gardens ground us and reduce stress and it's a great way to involve the whole community.
"The garden also has strong historical significance for the Jewish people, as our ancestors were farmers and agricultural people. I believe the idea of gardening has been lost and needs to be revived."
Mary Cohene, a gardening teacher and master gardener, was thrilled when she heard about the garden.
"I approached the school five years ago about creating a small garden and spoke to the counselor, Malki Moshkovitz, but at the time there were no resources available," Cohene said. "When Ralph told me his idea I knew I wanted to help."
Kay Ableson, executive director of the Kehila Society of Richmond, is also involved in the garden project.
"As an organization, we facilitate seniors programs in the Jewish community in Richmond," Ableson said. "We think this multi-generational project is a great one to partner with."
Senior volunteer, Ruth Singer, is a master food preserver and safety advisor and grandmother to students here at the school.
"My late husband was born on a Jewish colony and his father and grandfather were both farmers," said Singer. "For me, the Edible Garden is a great way to get involved in the community.
"It's also a wonderful way for children to learn the importance of growing food."
The Edible Garden project has received sponsorship from Home Depot and DNR Landscaping.
"DNR are donating the fruit trees, such as fig, plums and pears and grape vines and blueberry bushes," added Blasbalg.
As he points to the fence, he added, they will soon be planting seedless grape vines.
The Blasbalg's hope the legacy of the Edible Garden will be that children grow up appreciating where food comes from and will share their bounty with those less fortunate.
"We want this garden to last for decades to come and perhaps spread the idea to other local schools," said Blasbalg.
