When officials with the Marion-Polk Food Share announced they were setting up a new community garden for kids in Northeast Salem last month, more than 50 families lined up in hopes of getting a plot.

There were only 24 available spaces.

"There's something happening right now with gardening. Everybody wants one, and the Goldstar Garden program is all about tapping into that movement," said Jordan Blake, the Food Share's garden project manager.

The Goldstar Garden program provides mini-plots for area students to grow food for their families and their community.

"(The student gardeners) get to take home most of the produce from their gardens, but there is a row in every plot dedicated to supplying local food banks, said Diana Cason, the lead teacher with the project.

Students and garden mentors are currently meeting once a week to tend their gardens and learn about gardening care unique to each season. As harvest season nears, students will gather at their plots twice a week.

While many of the seven Goldstar Gardens are just getting underway, the Food Share is providing some form of produce for the participants to take home each week.

Turning dirt may not be among the most fascinating activities for students, so organizers are trying to keep the experience unique and educational. In addition to traditional garden fare, Goldstar gardeners are planting Rutgers Tomato Seeds -the same variety of seeds sent into orbit as part of NASA's seeds in space program.

While crops are the most tangible product of the Goldstar program, it's something else that Cason hopes takes root in the student participants.

"The real crop is self-esteeem. Growing a garden empowers people with a sense of accomplishment," she said.

For more information or to get involved, contact Blake at the Marion-Polk Food Share, 503-581-3855, ext. 323 or jblake@marionpolkfoodshare.org.