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Press release from the Fortuna Seventh-day Adventist Church:

The Fortuna Community Garden Is Moving

The Fortuna Community Garden is moving to a new location. Rhonda Lewis, director of the Community garden says, “The move will give us an opportunity to expand our present garden to better serve the community. The community garden began nine years ago when Steve Palecki contacted the Seventh-day Adventist Community Services, located at 2331 Rohnerville Road and presented the idea to them. The Fortuna Catholic Church under Father Ramon Pons at that time volunteered the property on Newburg Road to host the garden. Through hard work, many sacrifices, and the support of the community, the garden expanded. It provides for not only the families who participate in it, but also provides food for the St. Joseph’s Catholic Food Pantry and the Seventh-day Adventist Community Service’s food pantry.

The Community Garden’s new location will be 1200 Ross Hill Road, on the campus of Fortuna Junior Academy, with Sean Todd heading it up. Sean was a student of Steve Palecki at College of the Redwoods garden. Steve Palecki brought Sean onboard at the Fortuna Garden. Sean mentored under Steve for well over a year. In addition, he continues to work at the College of the Redwoods garden and the Open Door clinic garden. Sean has a heart for these gardens and those it serves. Jamie Burzo, principal of Fortuna Junior Academy said, “Having the Community Garden on campus will be a great opportunity for our students to learn about science, their environment and God as well as helping our community.”

Pastor Dan Freedman from the Fortuna Seventh-day Adventist Church thanked St Joseph’s Parish and the Catholic Church for their nine years hosting the garden on their property. Father Eddie and Pastor Dan look forward to working together on more projects to help their community.

Moving the garden began in late December. By next spring the garden will be ready to re-open and serve the community. The Community Garden wants to thank everyone for their support and looks forward to its best year ever in 2021. For information e-mail Sean Todd at stodd@fortunaacs.com . We also want to take this time to thank Steve Palecki for his numerous years of managing the garden and building it up to where it is today. We wish him and his wife blessings and success in their move to Oregon.