IN THE CITY
Photos courtesy of Jim Goforth & Jason Russ
by Jason Russ
When the wintry winds of February bring snow and cold upon Lorain, the last thing most of us wish to do is go outside. The icy temperatures drive us inward to stay warm, which is where we've spent so much of our time during these COVID-laden days. But what if there was an answer to the hopelessness that has overwhelmed us through these difficult times? What if there was a way to bring people together while seeing failure as a valuable ally toward the greatness of dedication and persistence? Let's go on an unexpected journey together and gain a vision for what is possible if we dirty our hands and catch sight of something we could all use more of these days: hope.
l a c ol ni a r ol e h t @ | m o c .l a c ol ni a r ol
Abby Miller comes from a tradition of growing apples, peaches, plums, cherries, and other fruits during her time on her family's farm, Miller Orchards. As a young lady in her 20s, she recalls many of her earliest memories tagging along on the tractor with her father Roger as he worked in the orchard and helping her mother Jennifer as she ran Apple Hill in Amherst.
Lorain Local Magazine | page 18
Abby's mom was also an avid vegetable gardener. She allowed Abby and her siblings to plant their own produce and learn the joy of seeing it come to harvest each season. This experience led Abby to become a part of Future Farmers of America at a young age and ultimately pursue a degree from Dordt University in agriculture with a strong emphasis on mission work. For Abby, combining agriculture with her faith was a dream come true. After graduating, she settled back home and began working at The Salvation Army in Lorain. There, she connected with the children's needs in the city, and her heart grew for them to experience the soil like she so often had during her youth. Abby got a garden box for the kids to teach them the value of planting and growing and sharing their harvest with others. Eventually, Abby took on a part-time role at a garden center, but she met her heart for agricultural missions through a local non-profit called "Hope for Futures." This organization received help from a city grant early in 2020 and began combining efforts with Church of the Open Door to establish urban gardens in the heart of Lorain. At the same time, Jim Goforth was also building urban gardens in Lorain, but his journey there was very different.
