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Mike Boyle of Tipton Receives President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award During Ceremony in Washington D.C.

Name
Darin Leach
City
Des Moines
Release Date

Mike Boyle, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development housing specialist from Tipton, Iowa, today received a President’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. that concluded the 2015 Feds Feed Families campaign.

Boyle, who has worked for USDA for 27 years, was recognized for his leadership with the Hardacre Community Garden project in Tipton that resulted in the donation of more than 20,000 pounds of produce this year, as well as for his thousands of hours volunteering with such organizations as the Cedar County Historical Society, Cedar County Extension Council and Tipton Lions Club.

“Mike is a dedicated public servant, and a true pillar in his eastern Iowa community,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “One of his passions is sharing with the community his love of gardening though teaching others the skills needed to nurture and grow healthy plants capable of producing a bountiful harvest. Not only is Boyle an expert gardener, he is also driven by servanthood to his community and experiences great joy in donating a rich bounty of fruits and vegetables each fall to community members in need.”

Launched in 2009 as part of President Obama’s United We Serve campaign, Feds Feed Families is a friendly competition among federal agencies to do all they can to help food banks and pantries stay stocked during summer months when they traditionally see a decrease in donations and an increase in need.

USDA, Department of Defense, Social Security Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Peace Corps were all recognized for their outstanding efforts and participation with the 2015 Feds Feed Families campaign.

Hardacre Community Garden was established on Earth Day 2009 and recognized as a USDA “People’s Garden.” The fundamental ambition of everyone’s work at Hardacre Community Garden is to benefit people in need in Cedar County and surrounding areas. The majority of what is harvested from the garden is donated to area food pantries, care facilities, churches and other neighbors in need.

More than 20,000 pounds of produce was harvested and donated from Hardacre Community Garden this year including potatoes, sweet corn, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beets, squash (several types), rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, cabbage, kale, head lettuce (several types), broccoli, spinach, radishes, cucumbers, onions, sweet potatoes, apples, pears and grapes.

Produce and fruit was donated to local food pantries, Tipton Senior Dining Center, Shared Blessing Meal Site, Tipton Senior Park (apartment complex), Bishop Hill Apartments, Cedar Manor, Prairie Hills Assisted Living Center, as well as individuals and families in the Cedar County area.

“At Hardacre Community Garden we strive to be responsible land stewards through sustainable practices and organic farming,” said Boyle, who is also a certified master gardener. “We do not use pesticides. We also plant heirloom variety seed and use natural waste materials for fertilizer.”

USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa.  Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.

This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 50 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.

Contact USDA Rural Development

For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call (515) 284-4663 or visit the agency’s web site at www.rd.usda.gov/ia.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas.  Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way - strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.