Pleasanton Scout builds new produce stand for Sunflower Hill

Sunflower Hill Gardens growers can now display the fruits of their labor — and the vegetables, too — in a more marquee and sustainable way thanks to Hart Middle School’s Max McGee.

The Pleasanton 14-year-old visited the one-acre garden at Hagemann Ranch in Livermore, which provides vocational and horticulture training for people with special needs, and found new inspiration for his Eagle Scout project when he saw garden volunteers selling their produce on portable tables.

Nearly six months later, McGee’s sturdy, portable produce stand — measuring 3 feet by 6 feet by 7 feet — was installed at the nonprofit’s garden on Olivina Road.

“This project was important to me because I could see how Sunflower Hill could benefit from it. I think what Sunflower Hill does for our community is very important, and I’m proud to be able to help,” McGee, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 945, said in a statement before the dedication last month.

The produce stand meets several key needs, according to Lynn Monica, director of Sunflower Hill Gardens. “It’s great that Max designed this as a portable stand. It’s sturdy and durable yet flexible enough that we can take it on the road,” she said.

“The timing is perfect,” Monica added. “We’re harvesting our winter crops right now, and our spring planting is set for April 22 (Earth Day) at the garden.”

Currently, Swiss chard, radishes, broccoli rabe and broccoli is available for purchase at the produce stand on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Last year, the nonprofit’s volunteer garden produced more than 9,600 pounds of vegetables and fruits, more than 70% of which was donated to local food banks and shelters.

McGee’s produce stand arrived during a busy month for Sunflower Hill.

The Pleasanton-based nonprofit also earned approval from the Livermore City Council for a 44-unit housing community for adults with developmental delays on a 2.2-acre parcel on First Street in Livermore across from Safeway and Lowe’s Home Improvement.

The affordable housing project, being built by developer MidPen Housing Corp., would also feature a dining hall, fitness and game rooms, a therapeutic pool, bocce court and other amenities, under the proposal.

And it received a $1,200 donation check from Visit Tri-Valley from its “Spread Cheer with Beer” fundraising drive.

“The Tri-Valley Beer Trail has been such a success that it just made sense to give back to the community,” said Visit Tri-Valley marketing director Robin Fahr.

“The hard part was choosing the recipient, yet when you see all that Sunflower Hill is doing to support a sustainable, productive and happy quality of life for adults with special needs, we knew we’d made the right choice. They could not have been more grateful and enthusiastic when we stopped by.”