This is a review post by the creator of www.thefarmersgarden.com, an online community for trading food grown in backyards and household gardens.

The Idea

Five years ago, I tried vegetable gardening in one 3 ft by 6 ft cedar raised bed to save money and become more self-sufficient. I was so thrilled with the results and discovered a passion for vegetable gardening. The following year, I enrolled in the Connecticut Master Gardener program to increase my gardening knowledge. To become a master gardener, one of the requirements is that you need to volunteer a minimum of thirty hours on a garden related community outreach project of your choice. I volunteered thirty plus hours on an urban nonprofit organic farm in my city, and for the past three years have been a member of their board of directors.

Since then, every year I have built additional raised beds on the west side of my house. I grow more varieties of vegetables every year and even built a cold frame so that I can extend my growing season in both the spring and the fall.  I usually pick more produce than I can eat, freeze and give away. I soon realized that I really enjoy giving my extra vegetables away to my family, friends, and neighbors.

One evening last summer, I met a few friends at a local restaurant for dinner. I brought a bag of mixed greens for each person and handed them out on the sidewalk outside the restaurant after dinner. Yes, I really carried my own produce into a restaurant, but hid it in a canvas bag away from the eyes of the wait staff. My friends were thrilled and immediately started planning when they were each going to eat their salad mix. For me, this was the best part of the evening. Most of them even e-mailed me the next day to thank me again for the produce. People seem genuinely happy to receive a bag of mixed greens or a zucchini and their happiness reflects back onto me.

My profession is web developer/project manager and last spring I taught myself the PHP programming language to supplement my existing skills. To practice, I created The Farmer’s Garden (www.thefarmersgarden.com) website so everyone can have access to locally grown food.

How It Works

The Farmer’s Garden is the place to post free classified ads to sell, trade or give away your excess backyard produce. Individuals and food pantries can also register to post wanted classifieds. Free registration is required to post a classified. If you’re interested in cooking fresh locally grown produce, visit The Farmer’s Garden website, enter your US zip code, select the radius that you are willing to travel and see what people in your area have to offer.

Many backyard gardeners also grow varieties of produce not found in your local grocery store. This is a terrific opportunity to taste new foods. If you don’t know how to prepare something, ask the grower. He or she will probably offer you several tasty recipes to try. You might even make a new friend in the process.

Success Story

Eddie from East Lynn, West Virginia was so happy with his results from searching on The Farmer’s Garden website that he offered to share his success story. Eddie entered his area code, selected the radius he was willing to travel and found someone in his area selling heirloom yellow pole bean seeds that they had saved from the previous year’s harvest. He contacted the seller and they agreed to meet in the public parking lot of a nearby retail chain store. The transaction was a success and Eddie highly recommends using The Farmer’s Garden.

Eating healthy nutritious food, knowing where your food comes from and supporting your local community are important. Share your surplus harvest with your neighbors. You’ll be surprised how good a small act of kindness will make you feel. Saving money or making a little extra is also good, especially in today’s economy.

The Farmer’s Garden has only been around for a year; so if you don’t find what you’re looking for at first, try again next week. We’re growing every day.