By David Harry
Staff Writer

Growers of all ages got a gardening boost from one local Boy Scout’s Eagle Badge project.
Michael Kelley, 18, a member of Troop 39 until he turned 18, designed and built six planter beds at Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Freeport.
The project, completed in November, fulfilled community service requirement he needed for the badge, the highest honor in scouting.
Liz Brownlee, interim executive director at the farm, said the 4 feet by 8 feet planter beds will allow farm instructors to teach gardening to students of all ages. The planters range in height from 18 to 36 inches, and raised beds are especially helpful to older adults who may have mobility problems, Brownlee said.
“We are very excited about them. We have a place for people of all ages to come and get their hands dirty,” she said.
Kelley said the project took about six months to plan and complete. Organizing and obtaining the construction materials were the most challenging parts of the work.
A Scout since third grade, Kelley said he did not work alone. It took about 120 project hours from planning to finish to build the planter beds, he said.
“Everybody who turned up was a great help,” Kelley said.
Kelley, a senior at Scarborough High School, will receive his Eagle Scout badge at a future court of honor ceremony. Kelley joined Ben Acker as the second member of Troop 39 to receive the Eagle Scout badge last year.
He said he and Acker helped each other with their projects, completing them one weekend apart,
Acker’s project involved creating a nature trail in the woods behind Broadturn Farm.
“It is a relief, and exciting,” Kelley said about earning the badge. “I put a lot of effort into it.”

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219