Marion-Polk Food Share introduces new director of community gardens

The Mid-Willamette Valley's regional food bank, known as Marion-Polk Food Share, has hired Ian Dixon-McDonald to lead the community gardens program.

Dixon-McDonald was raised in Polk County, and has lived in Monmouth, Corvallis, and Eugene. He earned a Masters degree in Sustainable Communities from Northern Arizona University.

Dixon-McDonald is taking-on a program that has grown tremendously in the last six years under the guidance of Jordan Blake. Marion-Polk Food Share is currently associated with over 50 gardens in the Mid-Willamette Valley. In 2010, the gardens collectively produced more than 100,000 pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries and participating families.

Visit Food Share's sustainable gardens page to learn more about the program and how you can get involved.