Clarkston Community Garden Grows Produce for the Hungry

Retiree volunteers tend to 57 raised beds and a greenhouse to donate thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables each year.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:05am

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A dedicated group of retiree volunteers in Clarkston, Idaho are busy preparing the Clarkston Community Garden for the growing season. The 1.5-acre garden features 57 raised beds that are rented out for just $20 per season, as well as community beds where the volunteers grow and donate thousands of pounds of produce to the local food bank each year.

Why it matters

The Clarkston Community Garden provides an important source of fresh, nutritious food for those in need in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. By harnessing the time and talents of local retirees, the garden is able to have a significant impact on food insecurity in the region.

The details

The Clarkston Community Garden is located behind Walla Walla Community College and is run by a small but dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom are in their 80s. Last year, the group grew and donated 11,388 pounds of produce to the Asotin County Food Bank, including 1,700 pounds of tomatoes and 300 pounds of butternut squash. The garden features 57 raised beds that are rented out for just $20 per growing season, with water included.

  • The Clarkston Community Garden is already underway for some early crops like onions, spinach and carrots.
  • The growing season for the majority of crops is just weeks away.

The players

Karen Adams

A volunteer who is working on one of the 57 raised beds, weeding and tilling the soil.

Jim Pells

A Clarkston resident who is mixing compost in a wheelbarrow at the garden.

Tanna and Tom Truscott

Clarkston residents who are working on plots devoted to demonstration crops.

Courtney Smith

A volunteer from Lewiston who is mowing between the garden beds.

Dick Adams

The president of the Clarkston Community Garden club, who is taking a break from tending to tomato plants in the greenhouse to give a tour of the 1.5-acre garden.

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What they’re saying

“We grow lots of stuff, almost anything people eat.”

— Dick Adams, President, Clarkston Community Garden

What’s next

The Clarkston Community Garden volunteers will continue preparing the beds and greenhouse for the upcoming growing season, with plans to donate thousands of pounds of fresh produce to the local food bank.

The takeaway

The Clarkston Community Garden is a shining example of how a small group of dedicated volunteers can make a big impact on food insecurity in their local community. By harnessing the time and talents of retirees, the garden is able to grow and donate thousands of pounds of fresh, nutritious produce each year.