garden leaders | Community Garden Coalition

As most folks are aware, the Community Garden Coalition is a completely volunteer organization. Board members, garden leaders and other volunteers receive nothing for their labors other than the joy of helping others. Recently, I moved away from active participation on the board to being an occasional volunteer. But before I go I want to make sure that we recognize one of our truly dedicated volunteers, Eric Lorenz.

Eric Lorenz stands next to garden beds featuring a tall mass of cherry tomatoes taller than his him — Eric Lorenz

Eric has a Ph.D. in agronomy and has worked with private seed companies in both South America and Spain. He and his wife, Linda, enjoy visiting other countries and learning about their cultures. This interest has led them to regularly volunteer in Guatemala for the Foundation for the Higher Good, a Columbia-based nonprofit. When they’re in Columbia, he volunteers at a variety of organizations including LOVE, Columbia, Granny’s House and, of course, the Community Garden Coalition.

Volunteer Eric Lorenz poses behind a raised garden bed with two people in MU physical therapy scrubs — Eric with MU physical therapists at the St. Joseph Street Garden, 2022

I first encountered Eric several years ago when he gardened at Ash Street Garden, which I remember because he is very tall and very nice (like my guy, Matt). Then he popped back up as garden leader for the St. Joseph Street Garden when LOVE, Columbia purchased the land. The garden had been relatively neglected, but Eric went at it full force. Almost every time I walked by he was there working. By the time he finished he had transformed St. Joseph into a little garden of Eden. It was lovely.

Eric Lorenz leans against a decorative garden gate for the Britt-Hall community garden — Eric with the new gate he built for the deer fence at Britt-Hall, 2024

About the time we found out that St. Joseph Garden’s days were numbered, we sadly lost our lovely garden leader at the Britt-Hall Garden, Thu Nguyen. Eric stepped up again and took over this garden. He built new beds, installed deer fencing, with some help from Cheryl Jensen, and fixed everything that had fallen into disrepair. He even built a lovely gate to spruce up the place. Then, when a new garden leader was found, Eric graciously ceded his position and moved on to be a gardener and co-leader at Unite4Health Garden with Cheryl. Since joining Unite4Health, Eric has rebuilt broken raised beds, built a shed for the straw and become the general fix-it man. Needless to say, Cheryl is thrilled to have his help!

Eric is a wonderful, intelligent person and an excellent gardener. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him, you should stop by Unite4Health Garden some spring day. Look around for a very tall man with silver hair who’s working hard and chances are good that’s him.

I know I speak for everyone on the board when I say THANK YOU, ERIC!