A local couple of educators in Perry is preparing to launch a new program that will help offer various opportunities to people in the community.

As we reported last month, the Perry School Board gave TJ and Megan Maylum permission to use up to three acres of land near the high school for their Grow School Garden.

TJ says the project has several goals.

“It’s to provide services for people who are just experiencing tough times in their lives.  So we will work with just about anybody to teach job skills and also just to increase their community experience, you know really get people out there to get off the couch and stuff like that” says Maylum.  “And then also to increase the access to fresh produce and things.  We want to get those into the hands of people who might not be able to afford it.”

The project has received funding from friends and family of the Maylums, along with grants such as money from the Perry RAGBRAI Committee to purchase a greenhouse.

The group is hosting an informational meeting on the project next week and everyone is invited to stop by and learn more about the garden and how they can help.

It takes place Tuesday in the Brady Library at Perry High School, beginning at 6pm.  More information is also available on their website, The-Grow.com.