The Cheyenne River Youth Project is moving forward with spring planting in its 2.5 acre Winyan Toka Win Garden.
CRYP executive director Julie Garreau says they’ve been tilling and making raised beds, because growing food is an essential activity in the community. She says they rely on the garden’s fresh produce for youth meals and snacks and for menu items in the Keya Cafe. Garden produce is also shared with the elderly and made available to the community through the Leading Lady Farmers Market.
Although the CRYP staff normally depends on volunteer support throughout the growing season, all spring and summer volunteer service groups are cancelled. Garreau said she and her team will tend the garden and put in as much time as necessary for a successful harvest.
The Winyan Toka Win Garden lies at the heart of CRYP’s Native Food Sovereignty initiatives. It serves as an outdoor classroom for The Main’s Garden Club and the Native Food Sovereignty Teen Internship, as well as for food-related classes and workshops for the public.
