Dr. Karen Bell
Keep Liberty Beautiful
Keep Liberty Beautiful recently joined the Sassy Ladies....We Are, Red Hat Ladies for a delightful and meaningful first-time experience picking sweet potatoes at a local farm. This was my first time participating in a community farm harvest, and the experience highlighted the importance of supporting local agriculture and connecting residents with the food grown right in their own backyard.
The group spent the day getting their hands dirty, digging up rows of fresh sweet potatoes. This hands-on experience enabled them to engage with other residents and learn about how small farms contribute to the community’s health and sustainability. There were rows of fresh, locally grown sweet potatoes as far as the eye can see. Supporting local farmers helps keep agricultural traditions alive, strengthens the local economy, and ensures access to fresh, healthy foods for families across the county.
Supporting local farms isn’t just about buying fresh produce; it’s about sustaining the heart of our community. Small farms contribute to our local economy, preserve green space, and ensure that residents have access to healthy, homegrown foods. By participating in activities like sweet potato picking, groups like Keep Liberty Beautiful and the Red Hat Ladies play a crucial role in strengthening the connection between residents and the land that feeds us.
Events like this serve as a reminder of the rewarding feeling that comes from knowing where our food comes from and supporting the hardworking farmers who make it possible. Every locally grown item, picked and purchased, makes a difference by helping to keep agriculture thriving right here in our county.
Supporting small farms is an investment in our community’s future. When we take part in harvesting and buying locally grown foods, we’re helping our neighbors, reducing our environmental impact, and celebrating the value of hard work and stewardship.
Sassy Ladies....We Are, The Red Hat Ladies, also shared their enthusiasm for the day’s experience. “We had such a wonderful time working alongside Keep Liberty Beautiful,” said Ms. Gale Dent, Sassy Ladies....We Are, Queen. “It was eye-opening to see how much care and effort go into growing food locally. It makes you appreciate every sweet potato even more!”
Keep Liberty Beautiful also partnered with local students and teachers for the annual Recycled Art Contest, an event designed to inspire creativity while promoting environmental awareness and the importance of recycling. Students and teachers from across Liberty County showcased their imagination by transforming recyclable materials into unique works of art.
This year’s entries highlighted the remarkable talent and dedication of students and teachers who used more than 80% recycled or repurposed materials to create their masterpieces. Judges from the Keep Liberty Beautiful Advisory Board selected winners based on creativity, use of materials, and overall message.
High School Division winners: First place: Sharissa B., Bradwell Institute Second place: Shiloh C., Bradwell Institute Third place: Kaely R., Bradwell Institute All high school participants received appreciation gifts for their hard work and commitment to environmental stewardship, including: Haley W., A’Shariya T., Oliver C., Jadyn L., and Tihanna T., all from Bradwell Institute.
Elementary School Division winners: First place: Hailey S., Liberty Elementary Second place: Charlotte T., Homeschooled Third place (tie): Cecilia T., Homeschooled Third place (tie): Levi T., Homeschooled Teacher School Door Decoration Awards: Mrs. K. Jones, Liberty Elementary School Ms. Geaumont, Lewis Frasier Middle School These students and teachers truly showed how creativity and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand. We are incredibly proud of every participant for helping us promote recycling and inspire others to think differently about the materials we throw away.”
The annual Recycled Art Contest is part of Keep Liberty Beautiful’s ongoing efforts to engage youth, encourage sustainability, and celebrate community involvement in protecting the environment.
Keep Liberty Beautiful plans to continue partnering with local organizations to promote environmental awareness, healthy living, and community engagement. Building partnerships that bring the community together helps promote sustainability and the environment.
For more information about upcoming KLB activities, visit www.keeplibertybeautiful. org or call (912) 880-4888.