OTR eco garden teaches local youth how to grow organic vegetables

The eco garden that sits at 1718 Main St. across from Rothenberg Preparatory Academy in Over-the-Rhine teaches neighborhood kids self-reliance through the growth of organic fruits and vegetables. Managed by Permaganic owners Luke and Angela Ebner, it provides organic fruits and vegetables for Rothenburg as well as other organizations in the city, like the Freestore Foodbank.
 
Each summer, Permaganic hires 15-20 inner-city youths as part of its after-school internship program (originally a program of IMPACT Over-the-Rhine) and teaches them how to plant, harvest, grow and cook organic fruits and vegetables.
 
The garden also teaches kids to be kind of their neighbors through its CSA program.This year, Permaganic donated to a local women’s shelter on the West side. In previous years, food was donated to a local daycare center.
 
“The garden is a place where kids known they can come and learn, somewhere that’s positive for them," Ebner says. "It’s an oasis in this neighborhood, kind of a break from the chaos and concrete."
 
 Do Good:

• Donate to help support Permaganic’s mission and help raise $8,000 by their fundraising deadline, Dec. 31.

• Visit Permaganic’s website for more information.

• Stay up to date on events hosted at the garden on Facebook.