Borderland couple helps thousands access fresh produce

The holiday season of giving has officially begun. But one Borderland couple doesn’t need a reason to dedicate their time and effort to helping those who don’t have enough to eat.

“These are the tomatoes that we’re going to grow during the wintertime,” said Jerald Hobson, owner of Jardin de Milagros, as he walked ABC-7 through his farm. Jardin de Milagros means Garden of Miracles in Spanish.

“I grew up on the farm and we always had a garden,” said Hobson. “Fresh produce was something we had growing up.”

And fresh produce is something Hobson and his wife, Susie, grow in abundance on the farm, which has been in his family for more than half a century. The three-acre farm outside La Union became their calling six years ago.

“We had time and a source of water — a deep well — so it seemed like someone was sending us a message that we needed to do something with that and give back to the community,” said Hobson.

With his background in engineering and hers in biology, they’re reaping tens of thousands of pounds of produce.

“We have just finished harvesting our sweet potatoes, which will finish up the summer crop,” said Susie Hobson. “And we’re starting our winter crop now which the spinach and Swiss chard are part of that.”

They grew nearly 45 tons of squash, tomatoes, onions and nearly two dozen other crops in 2014.

“You’ve got to be a bad gardener not to grow squash,” Jerald Hobson said, laughing.

“Together we make a good team,” added his wife. “And we couldn’t do it without volunteers.”

The fruits — and vegetables — of their labor end up at the Kelly Memorial Food Pantry in Central El Paso.

“It’s fresher than what you’re getting in the grocery store,” said David Austin, the director of the food pantry. “It’s straight from the field, through our back door and out our front door on the same day.”

The head of the pantry said the vegetables help 2,500 families monthly.

“It’s teaching people how to eat better and they’re learning how to use vegetables that they’re not exposed to,” said Austin.

For those who depend on the pantry, the Hobsons are making miracles.

“There’s a lot of gratification and feel like we’re giving back,” said Jerald Hobson.

The farm and the food pantry are always looking for volunteers and donors.

Call Jardin de Milagros at (915) 497-8755 or email Jerald Hobson at jeraldhobson@gmail.com.

Contact the Kelly Memorial Food Pantry at 261-7499.