New Holland's Wellness Garden Benefits Employees and Local Community
CNH Industrial’s employees at the New Holland, PA manufacturing site are proud to again have their Wellness Garden up and running. The garden, operational since 2017, is not only for the local employees; it also feeds the community.
Chris Rieder, CNH Industrial Safety and Environmental Manager and original project organizer, explains how it all began, “Our Wellness Committee was looking for ideas on how to give our colleagues a way to meet others, collaborate and learn new skills. The Wellness Garden allowed us to do just that while donating food to CrossNet Ministries Food Pantry here in New Holland. We got lumber, built raised beds, acquired seeds and had volunteers help tend the garden. Once a week, we take the food up to the food bank for families in need.”
“Last year, due to Covid, we put the garden on hold,” said Ann Brill, CNH Industrial Capital Account Services and current project manager. “Most of our volunteers were not on site and have to drive in. But this year, we have 9 volunteers to help with the watering, weeding and harvesting of the vegetables. Usually, we deliver between 50 and 100 pounds of vegetables to the food bank per year from the 2 beds. Our goal is to build 2 more beds at the end of this season to increase our yield next year.”
Mei Hugenbruch, CNH Industrial Field Service Manager, shares what volunteering in the garden means to her, “While working in the office, it gives me a chance to take a break, get some fresh air and do something worthwhile. To watch what we sow, grow and harvest is very rewarding. It's for charity, and it gives me a nice warming feeling to know what we're doing benefits our community."
