Pictured is Neighborhood Project Associate Mary Maxwell with a variety of seedlings given away by the Jametown Renaissance Corporation.

Many residents of Jamestown and beyond will have a happy harvest this year thanks to the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.

The JRC gave away 4,754 seedlings last week due to the donations of several area greenhouses. The seedling program is in its third year, with 2017 being the largest giveaway yet, according to Neighborhood Project Associate Mary Maxwell.

“Janet Forbes, master gardener and volunteer extraordinaire, came to me three years ago and said, ‘Do you realize the greenhouses in June toss out their vegetable seedlings?'” Maxwell said. “So, she proceeded to tell me about her idea of how we could pick them up and give them out to the community. She would pick them up and we would display them on our back concrete walkway.”

At first, the pair made phone calls to anyone interested in seedlings, such as the Eastside YMCA, community gardeners and garden fair volunteers. Maxwell said the program has grown over the years and continues to be a success.

The greenhouses involved include the Garfield Road Greenhouse, Troyers’ Greenhouse in Panama, Scott’s Greenhouse on Route 60 and in Lakewood and Mike’s Nursery.

Maxwell said the program is so important to the community because it not only adds beauty to the area, but provides a food source for residents.

“Part of my job is to beautify Jamestown, and this is part of the ‘GROW Jamestown’ program,” she said. “That includes the community gardens, the front yard garden recognition program and the GROW Jamestown Garden Fair and Home Show.”

The JRC is currently in the middle of moving to their new location at 300 E. Second St. in the Post Office building, but Maxwell wants to assure the community the seedling program will continue next year.

“I’ll do it right on the sidewalk if that’s what I need to do,” she said.

The next program to look for from the JRC is the front yard recognition program which, new this year, will begin in the fall. Maxwell said she was looking for a way to switch up the program, and someone suggested holding it during different times of the year. This year, the program will begin on Sept. 5 and will continue through Sept. 26.

“We will have 110 volunteers and look at 12,000 front yards in three weeks,” Maxwell said. “It’s not a contest – it’s a ‘thank you’ for trying to make Jamestown look beautiful.”

Those intrested in volunteering to help with the program can call 664-2477 ext. 224 or email mary@jamestownrenaissance.org.