Gathering Renewals assembles edibles in Cape Region

Nearly six months ago, Gathering Renewals owners Marian and Jim Luzzi relocated to Delaware with a feeling that the Cape Region and agriculture community statewide would be receptive to their business of sustainable agriculture design, maintenance and education.

Marian Luzzi said she previously ran a sustainable community in Idaho before they relocated, and Jim has studied organic agriculture at University of California, Davis and received a master’s in education at Columbia University.

They created Gathering Renewals to help teach people about sustainable, urban or suburban vegetable gardening, Marian said, and will provide the tools people need to make attractive, productive food growth a reality at home.

“Our premise is that most people would like to have access to fresh vegetables, especially from their own garden,” she said. “We can create a garden space for a variety of gardening abilities. We plant and show people how easy it is to grow your salad in the kitchen!”

An expert at vertical space hydroponics and a self-described "old-school organics guy," Jim said he can design a vegetable garden for virtually anyone in any space.

Taking into account the space and conditions available for a potential garden, the agriculturalist will begin to design an herb and vegetable garden based on his client’s tastes, and he believes he can deliver a vegetable garden to suit.

“The idea is to love something that’s growing there, and when you come up to it you just smile because it’s something you like,” he said. “Every day or every couple of days, you walk by and your garden says ‘Hey! I’ve got something for you!’”

This year will be their first growing season in Delaware, but as business builds and weather gets warmer, Marian said they also hope to reach out to the community, teaching students how to grow their own food at area elementary schools, and holding public workshops on suburban farming and hydroponic agriculture technologies.

“What’s clear in southern Delaware is there are a lot of people involved in traditional farming,” Jim said. “I see potential in small spaces, half lots and community spaces.”

Marian said they hope to make contact with homeowners' associations and help community gardens gain a foothold in Delaware again.

“No matter how little space you have,” Jim said, "you can grow something.”

The owners of Gathering Renewals will be presenting a workshop called "Growing Food in Small Spaces" at the Rehoboth library at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 29.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Gathering Renewals, call 302-864-4522 or go to www.gatheringrenewals.com.