Workers at McPherson CertainTeed Molded Products Plant are enjoying a few more vegetables during their breaks, thanks to a new employee garden.
The garden springs out of the company’s LiveWell project, which is designed to promote employee wellness. Plants can earn points for different activities and can eventually earn lower insurance rates.
“It (the garden) was perfect - exercise, healthy eating and a stress reliever,” LiveWell garden team leader Gerry Lundy wrote in a release.
In March, a team of employees from the Molded Products worked with McPherson County and found a piece of land that the county was willing to allow the company to use.
The team then went about the normal process of creating a garden: tilling the land, acquiring compost and securing tools, straw and other items.
McPherson County Extension Agent Dale Ladd also gave a presentation on vegetable gardens and instructed the employees on gardening techniques.
So far the 16 types of vegetables - such as potatoes, onions, radishes, carrots, lettuce among others - and four types of herbs have been planted in the garden.
“It has definitely been a success thus far in this first year of experimenting, but if Kansas weather is kind, the 60 potato plants and 25 tomato plants along with the other veggies will make a lot of employees happy and healthy,” Lundy wrote.
About 21 employees help keep the garden up by planting, watering and harvesting. When produce is picked, team members get first pick. The rest of the produce is distributed amongst employees.
The team hopes to keep the garden up and plant again next year. Less far into the future, the team is looking forward to the tomatoes and corn that will be ready later this summer.
Workers at McPherson CertainTeed Molded Products Plant are enjoying a few more vegetables during their breaks, thanks to a new employee garden.
The garden springs out of the company’s LiveWell project, which is designed to promote employee wellness. Plants can earn points for different activities and can eventually earn lower insurance rates.
“It (the garden) was perfect - exercise, healthy eating and a stress reliever,” LiveWell team leader Gerry Lundy wrote in a release.
In March, a team of employees from the Molded Products worked with McPherson County and found a piece of land that the county was willing to allow the company to use.
The team then went about the normal process of creating a garden: tilling the land, acquiring compost and securing tools, straw and other items.
McPherson County Extension Agent Dale Ladd also gave a presentation on vegetable gardens and instructed the employees on gardening techniques.
So far the 16 types of vegetables - such as potatoes, onions, radishes, carrots, lettuce among others - and four types of herbs have been planted in the garden.
“It has definitely been a success thus far in this first year of experimenting, but if Kansas weather is kind, the 60 potato plants and 25 tomato plants along with the other veggies will make a lot of employees happy and healthy,” Lundy wrote.
About 21 employees help keep the garden up by planting, watering and harvesting. When produce is picked, team members get first pick. The rest of the produce is distributed amongst employees.
The team hopes to keep the garden up and plant again next year. Less far into the future, the team is looking forward to the tomatoes and corn that will be ready later this summer.
Workers at McPherson CertainTeed Molded Products Plant are enjoying a few more vegetables during their breaks, thanks to a new employee garden.
The garden springs out of the company’s LiveWell project, which is designed to promote employee wellness. Plants can earn points for different activities and can eventually earn lower insurance rates.
“It (the garden) was perfect - exercise, healthy eating and a stress reliever,” LiveWell team leader Gerry Lundy wrote in a release.
In March, a team of employees from the Molded Products worked with McPherson County and found a piece of land that the county was willing to allow the company to use.
The team then went about the normal process of creating a garden: tilling the land, acquiring compost and securing tools, straw and other items.
McPherson County Extension Agent Dale Ladd also gave a presentation on vegetable gardens and instructed the employees on gardening techniques.
So far the 16 types of vegetables - such as potatoes, onions, radishes, carrots, lettuce among others - and four types of herbs have been planted in the garden.
“It has definitely been a success thus far in this first year of experimenting, but if Kansas weather is kind, the 60 potato plants and 25 tomato plants along with the other veggies will make a lot of employees happy and healthy,” Lundy wrote.
About 21 employees help keep the garden up by planting, watering and harvesting. When produce is picked, team members get first pick. The rest of the produce is distributed amongst employees.
The team hopes to keep the garden up and plant again next year. Less far into the future, the team is looking forward to the tomatoes and corn that will be ready later this summer.
Workers at McPherson CertainTeed Molded Products Plant are enjoying a few more vegetables during their breaks, thanks to a new employee garden.
The garden springs out of the company’s LiveWell project, which is designed to promote employee wellness. Plants can earn points for different activities and can eventually earn lower insurance rates.
“It (the garden) was perfect - exercise, healthy eating and a stress reliever,” LiveWell team leader Gerry Lundy wrote in a release.
In March, a team of employees from the Molded Products worked with McPherson County and found a piece of land that the county was willing to allow the company to use.
The team then went about the normal process of creating a garden: tilling the land, acquiring compost and securing tools, straw and other items.
McPherson County Extension Agent Dale Ladd also gave a presentation on vegetable gardens and instructed the employees on gardening techniques.
So far the 16 types of vegetables - such as potatoes, onions, radishes, carrots, lettuce among others - and four types of herbs have been planted in the garden.
“It has definitely been a success thus far in this first year of experimenting, but if Kansas weather is kind, the 60 potato plants and 25 tomato plants along with the other veggies will make a lot of employees happy and healthy,” Lundy wrote.
About 21 employees help keep the garden up by planting, watering and harvesting. When produce is picked, team members get first pick. The rest of the produce is distributed amongst employees.
The team hopes to keep the garden up and plant again next year. Less far into the future, the team is looking forward to the tomatoes and corn that will be ready later this summer.
Workers at McPherson CertainTeed Molded Products Plant are enjoying a few more vegetables during their breaks, thanks to a new employee garden.
The garden springs out of the company’s LiveWell project, which is designed to promote employee wellness. Plants can earn points for different activities and can eventually earn lower insurance rates.
“It (the garden) was perfect - exercise, healthy eating and a stress reliever,” LiveWell team leader Gerry Lundy wrote in a release.
In March, a team of employees from the Molded Products worked with McPherson County and found a piece of land that the county was willing to allow the company to use.
The team then went about the normal process of creating a garden: tilling the land, acquiring compost and securing tools, straw and other items.
McPherson County Extension Agent Dale Ladd also gave a presentation on vegetable gardens and instructed the employees on gardening techniques.
So far the 16 types of vegetables - such as potatoes, onions, radishes, carrots, lettuce among others - and four types of herbs have been planted in the garden.
“It has definitely been a success thus far in this first year of experimenting, but if Kansas weather is kind, the 60 potato plants and 25 tomato plants along with the other veggies will make a lot of employees happy and healthy,” Lundy wrote.
About 21 employees help keep the garden up by planting, watering and harvesting. When produce is picked, team members get first pick. The rest of the produce is distributed amongst employees.
The team hopes to keep the garden up and plant again next year. Less far into the future, the team is looking forward to the tomatoes and corn that will be ready later this summer.
