Real Impact stories spotlight the real difference people, programs and partnerships—across the system—make on the state’s economic, social and cultural well-being. For more, meet the VENT team.
If they could talk, the tomato plants in Cairo’s food donation garden would thank volunteers like Deb Davis.
“I water the garden about every night unless it rains,” Davis said of the space launched in 2021 to ease food insecurity and increase healthy options in the economically challenged community. “I’m usually there until dark. It feels good. It’s my therapy.”
More than 270 gardens represent just one way Illinois Extension—part of the University of Illinois System via the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences—supports communities. In all 102 Illinois counties, Extension translates University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research to help people solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to change.
“We’re fortunate to have Deb as our ‘garden fairy,’” said Erin Garrett, Extension natural resources, environment, and energy educator for the southern Illinois region. “Illinois Extension is very invested in Cairo’s donation garden. As long as we’re here, the garden is going to be here.”
Once a commerce hub, Cairo is home to a dwindling population of about 1,700. Before the garden’s launch in 2021, produce was hard to come by with the closest grocery store 40-plus miles away. Illinois Extension, the U of I System, and local and state partners work to ensure initiatives such as food pantries, community gardens, and healthy food at the new Rise Community Market help those living in and near Cairo.
‘At no charge’
The Cairo garden donated all of its harvest—1,000 pounds—to Daystar Community Programs’ food pantry last year.
Davis has lived in Cairo for more than 30 years. She used to run Mack’s Restaurant which, like many businesses, closed years ago. Today she washes hair for the clients at her friend’s salon, Hairworks.
As the unofficial ambassador of the food donation garden next door, Davis explains how her neighbors benefit.
“People often ask what’s ripe and if can they have some,” Davis said. “I explain that everything we harvest goes to Daystar, and they can help themselves to our fresh produce there at no charge.”
A host of other volunteers—on their own and through local organizations—work with Extension to plant, weed, and harvest, as well as deliver to Daystar.
“We have so much community support,” Garrett said. “There’s just something about this community. People really do show up.”
That’s essential in more ways than one.
“If you visit Cairo, you won’t see a lot of people. Buildings are falling down, abandoned. It seems like there’s a lot of emptiness,” Garrett said. “But then you turn a corner and see the garden, a bright spot that’s full of life and hope.”
Busy as bees
The garden supplies even more.
The community space features a sensory garden so kids—especially those on the autism spectrum—can explore and learn. The pollinator garden features native plants visitors can grow to attract bees, butterflies, and other helpful insects.
And the federally funded SNAP-Ed provides nutrition education to share easy ways to prepare and store produce as the list of healthy offerings grows. Garden supporters added snap peas, snow peas, and mustard greens and had their first successful onion crop last year.
Each spring, Davis can hardly wait for the perennial flowers to start growing. Come fall, she’ll help harvest favorite and less-familiar fruits and vegetables.
“I like to watch the okra grow. I don’t mind that it can make you itchy,” she said. “I don’t have favorite things in our garden. I just love them all.”
University of Illinois System’s impact through partnering with communities statewide is just part of what makes us Altogether Extraordinary. To share a story idea, please message lmabry@uillinois.edu.
