The sun was low in the sky and the temperatures mild with an expectation of rain the next day — Tuesday was a perfect evening for planting a vegetable garden.

More than a dozen families were on hand to obtain instruction and seeds as they got started on their four-by-12 foot plots at Wilmington College that will eventually produce a harvest of tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage, onions, beans, beets, eggplant and more.

Monte Anderson, professor of agriculture, demonstrated to the gardeners the standardized layout of the 20 plots and how to place seeds for best results. He was assisted by a number of local volunteers possessing extensive gardening experience.

The vegetable patches are a component of the Community Gardens initiative, whose goal is to put fresh food on the tables of persons adversely affected by the area’s challenging economic situation.

Some 20 families were selected as pioneers for the inaugural year of what has been termed as the “Grow Hope, Grow Food” garden. They have agreed to labor in their vegetable plots this spring and summer — and they will reap the harvest.

Anderson was impressed with the enthusiasm of the new gardeners. He expects the benefits of their participation will be more than simply food.

“Planting a garden is fun and a lot of people have never done it,” he said. “It’s relaxing, enjoyable and therapeutic. You also gain a feeling of self-sufficiency.”

Other associated Community Garden projects will put fresh food on the shelves of the local food bank.

Significant quantities of sweet corn, potatoes and tomatoes will be grown on college farmland this summer and free demonstrations on growing a vegetable garden will be presented to the public throughout the spring and summer.

In addition, an experimental project based on the concept of community-supported agriculture will be undertaken this year and the college will produce an herb garden to demonstrate how these aromatic plants can be grown in southwest west Ohio for both aesthetic and culinary purposes.

Also, WC is partnering with Energize Clinton County in its “Grow Local” and “Buy Local” campaigns, and with Sugartree Ministries to fight poverty by improving access to adequate and nutritious food. Other initiatives include a year-round farmers market, a food co-op and youth outreach.

The recently enacted Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will provide funding for nine new Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and a manager from the federal AmeriCorps program. Under the supervision of WC staff, they will work on various aspects of the broader Community Gardens initiative.

WC President Dan DiBiasio said that, while the college is receiving no direct financial benefit, it pursued the VISTA grant for the bevy of volunteers as part of its commitment to voluntary service and interest in providing leadership in a community hard hit by the economic downturn and joblessness resulting from the DHL pullout.

He noted that the project capitalizes “on two strong Wilmington College traditions”: agriculture and service.

“Service is one of the College’s core values; it has been important throughout our history and emanates from our Quaker heritage,” he said. “These nine new VISTA volunteers and manager will provide an opportunity for the college to work with the community in many new and meaningful ways.”

This week’s planting of the “Grow Food, Grow Hope” garden is merely a start.