The last tomatoes have been plucked, the vines are starting to wither, and the Barry County Community Garden is officially closing its gates for the season.

What remains is not only bare soil awaiting winter rest, but also a year full of community spirit, collaboration and generosity that will long be remembered.

This season, the garden’s volunteers accomplished something remarkable. By the time the last crate of vegetables was weighed and delivered, 1,006 pounds of fresh produce had been given to the Cassville Pantry and the Cassville Senior Center, providing healthy, homegrown food to neighbors who needed it most.

A season of growth, the garden on Farm Road 2160 by Aire Serv in Cassville is more than a patch of cultivated soil — it is a community effort designed to bring people together while addressing food insecurity in the region.

Week after week, volunteers planted seeds, pulled weeds, watered rows under the Missouri sun, and they harvested the fruits of their labor. The season brought its challenges — unpredictable rain in spring, scorching heat in July, and the usual battle with weeds and insects.

But, despite those hurdles, the garden thrived. Rows of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, beans, peppers and other vegetables filled baskets and boxes that made their way to local tables through the Cassville Pantry and Cassville Senior Center.

Volunteers made it happen. The Barry County Community Garden could not function without the hands and hearts of its volunteers. This year, a dedicated group gave countless hours to ensure the garden’s success. Among them were:

• JoAnne Brown, whose steady presence and cheer brightened many mornings

• Skip Easter, who exemplifies practical know-how and the willingness to tackle the toughest jobs

• Rosario Keele, who pitched in tirelessly during planting and harvesting days

• And, Lainey Harvick, of Harvick Farms, whose agricultural experience proved invaluable when challenges arose.

All of these individuals gave their time to the Cassville Pantry and Cassville Senior Center, which have long relied on donations to help stretch resources for families and seniors in need.

This year’s contribution from the community garden represented more than just calories on a plate. For many recipients, it meant having access to fresh, nutritious vegetables that might otherwise be hard to afford.

“Fresh produce is one of the hardest things for pantries to provide consistently,” one pantry volunteer noted. “When the community garden delivers a box of tomatoes or cucumbers, you can see the gratitude on people’s faces. It’s food that was grown locally, with love, and it makes a real difference.”

Looking back and looking ahead as the rows are cleared and mulch is spread to prepare for winter, those who worked in the Barry County Community Garden reflect on the season with pride.

The sweat, the soil under fingernails and the long hours in the sun all seem worthwhile when measured against the impact made. For some, the season also brought a touch of nostalgia — memories of family gardens from childhood, or of neighbors gathering years ago to share seed and harvest.

The garden ties today’s community back to those traditions, reminding everyone that food has always been a reason to gather, to share and to give thanks. Plans are already underway for next spring. Garden organizers hope to expand plantings, invite new volunteers and continue building connections with local families and organizations.

The vision is simple but powerful: Grow food, grow friendships, and grow a stronger community.

The 2025 gardening season will be remembered not just for the number of pounds harvested, but for the smiles, laughter, and camaraderie that filled the rows.

From the first seedling planted in the cool soil of April to the last tomato picked on a warm September afternoon, it was a year marked by dedication and joy.

“It was a good year,” one volunteer reflected. “We gave back, we grew together, and we made a difference.”

And, as the Barry County Community Garden enters its quiet winter, the community can rest knowing that its impact — both nutritional and emotional — will carry through until the first sprouts of spring appear once again.

Melissa Hamilton is a dedicated volunteer with the Barry County Community Garden and a Barry County Master Gardener. She may be reached at melissa. hamilton1969@gmail.com.