Outreach Farm Project has annual potato harvest in Rainbow

The Outreach Farm Project had its annual potato harvest June 30 in Rainbow. Approximately 200 volunteers participated and harvested approximately 5,000 pounds of potatoes that day, which were given to the Temecula/Murrieta Rescue Mission.

“We had to turn people away that day because of parking,” said volunteer Vince Stagner.

The Outreach Farm Project began in 2009. Troy Conner attends Rancho Community Church in Temecula and heard about the need for food for the rescue mission. Conner volunteered the use of approximately two acres which had previously been used for organic sunflowers. The total harvest of all crops was approximately 30,000 pounds in 2009, and that grew to approximately 50,000 pounds in 2010 and 75,000 pounds in 2011. “Last year was a great year,” Conner said.

“It’s been fantastic. It’s amazing how much it’s grown,” Conner said. “It’s been tremendously successful.”

In addition to potatoes the crops include onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and squash. The 2011 harvest exceeded the rescue mission’s food needs, so the extra food was sold at Rancho Community Church and the proceeds were donated to the rescue mission for the purchase of non-food needs. On most weekends approximately a dozen volunteers help care for the garden.

“It’s truly a community-based volunteer project,” Conner said. “It’s really a lot of support from the whole community.”