Appearing on the weekly, local public affairs program, Southern Tier Close Up, VINES director, Amelia LoDolce talks about the programs run by the group including managing an urban garden in Binghamton.

LoDolce says VINES (Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments) is about more than gardening.  The group also provides food to local hunger programs and teaches at-risk youth job skills and work ethics.

The group recently received funds to expand the garden on Tudor Street to two adjacent properties and to add more slots for the youth summer employment program.

If people want to garden on their own plot, VINES regularly provides seeds to people who ask for them.

You can find out more about Binghamton's VINES program at their website www.vinesgardens.org.

Southern Tier Close Up can be heard Sunday at 6 am on 99.1 The Whale.

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