Pick Your Own Produce at Lincoln University’s Community Garden

A community member weighs out her tomato harvest at a You Pick Monday.

A fresh harvest tastes even better when you pick it yourself. Every Monday from 9-11 a.m. until the first frost, Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) invites the public to harvest fresh produce at its community garden, located outside the Dickinson Research Center at 1204 Chestnut St. LU staff help visitors collect tomatoes, peppers, green beans, zucchini and cucumbers.

“We had extra vegetables from this summer's planting that needed to be harvested,” said Jessica Epple-Farmer, assistant professor of animal science and organizer of You Pick Mondays. “A very smart friend of mine recommended You Pick Mondays.”

Visitors can sign in at the garden, grab a bag and choose produce for their families. LU asks participants to only pick what their household will eat. After harvesting, visitors weigh their produce and record the amount in the sign-in notebook. Visitors are encouraged to bring a bag from home in case the garden’s supply runs low.

“All leftover produce goes to a local food pantry,” Epple-Farmer said.

For Epple-Farmer, the weekly harvest also brings a chance to meet new people. Visitors can return for classes at the community garden, including upcoming blewit mushroom gardening sessions on Oct. 6 and 8. Whether stopping by for a handful of peppers or a new gardening skill, the garden offers plenty to share.