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Fresh fruits and veggies are delivered to those in need, grown using no pesticides or herbicides with natural compost on 3.5 acres on Annie Crow Road. There, a small but dedicated operation of 20-25 volunteers build their organization aiming to make fresh and healthy food available each week.

On Saturday, a week before Easter, Zappia delivered a little bit of that joy to the farmers market on High Street, introducing the community to 25 of her baby chicks, the hardworking future egg providers for the community.

Although it was a little cold out, the chicks weren’t, warmed by heaters. The chicks greeted children, teens and adults who held and petted them — a friendly Chestertown welcome. Believe it or not, some have never held a baby chick, Zappia said.

The recent arrivals, coming from Murray McMurray hatchery are a rainbow assortment which will offer a variety of different colored eggs.

Zappia loved introducing her little feathered friends while teaching lessons on rural life.

“Today was exactly what I was hoping for, just spreading joy to people. What a great way to spend a Saturday.”

Zappia encouraged people to add to their volunteer number as they prepare for summer planting season.

For Zappia, gardening is a passion, first discovered through her late husband while raising their three children on a West Virginian farm. When she moved back to Maryland to stay close to her immediate family, she put farming on hold, and had a fulfilling career as a preschool teacher at Friendship Montessori School.

After her husband passed away, and her children were grown, going separate ways, that farming desire was restored. In Rock Hall, there were plans for a garden restaurant and for her to run the garden. Those plans fell through, and attempts for Zappia to purchase the garden did not take root.

However, another opportunity arose, and she purchased 3.5 acres of cornfield, which would become the future home of her own operation.

“The idea for Sandy’s Garden came about when the restaurant garden where I was working had more produce than we could use- so we donated it to the local food pantry. What an eye-opener! I had no idea of the need for fresh fruit and vegetables in the county. I realized at that moment that I wanted to help meet that need.”

Sandy’s Garden was established, and today there is a garden, a chicken coop to house her newest, adorable arrivals, a beehive to pollinate those plants and a greenhouse so they can grow crops year-round.

Although they are not a 40-acre farm, they can grow a lot with what they have, Zappia exclaimed. With a goal to provide food to the pantry every week, with heart, hard work and dedication they have been doing just that.

For example, the date of the interview, April 18, they dropped off 38 pounds of spring crops, lettuce, spinach and kale. In May, they will add warmer weather crops, like tomatoes, green beans and peppers to the mix.

Zappia showed appreciation to all her volunteers, hoping for many others.

“I love to teach people but even if you want to just hang out with the chickens, you’re welcome to do that too,” Zappia said.

Sandy’s Garden is a non-profit dedicated to nurturing our community by making sure everyone has access to wholesome food. Scope it out at at or 304-761-0286 or contact her at sandysgardeninc@gmail.com.

‘We are a happy little self-sustaining area,” Zappia said, laughing.