The transformation seems almost impossible. Land that spent decades being excavated for coal, supporting a 1,688-megawatt power plant, now grows vegetables that nourish thousands of people. The NRG Dewey Prairie Garden sits on what used to be part of a 35,000-acre coal mine, portions of which still extend into the town of Jewett, located about 60 miles east of Waco.
Managed by the nonprofit Texan by Nature, the garden addresses a critical need in the community. The United States Department of Agriculture and Feeding America classify Jewett as a food desert, where many residents live more than 10 miles from the nearest grocery store and food insecurity rates run 51 percent higher than the national average. Fresh produce remains out of reach for many families, both geographically and financially.
Debbie Glaze, a lead gardener on the project, marveled at what the land can now accomplish. The ground is actually growing all these vegetables after all that mine digging, she told The Texas Tribune, noting how unexpected the transformation seemed. With plans to expand the garden by another nine acres, even more residents will be able to access free fresh produce through their local food pantries.
The impact ripples through the region. Kathleen Buchanan of The Lord's Pantry of Leon County explained that most clients cannot regularly buy fresh fruits and vegetables due to cost, making the garden a true blessing. Kristy Vandegriff of Leon Community Food Pantry and Clothes Closet emphasized the health implications, noting that Leon, Limestone, and Freestone Counties rank among the least healthy in Texas, with high obesity and diabetes rates. Being able to offer fresh fruits and vegetables regularly helps clients make choices for better health, she said.
The garden represents more than agricultural restoration. It demonstrates how land devastated by extractive industry can be reimagined to serve community needs, turning environmental degradation into a source of nourishment and hope for thousands of people each year.