Three women that had never planted a thing in their lives decided to share a community garden bed in the 84-bed Kingsport Harvest of Hope Community Garden three years ago.
“This year, they each planted their own beds,” Master Gardener Doug Hilton told the Carter County Community Garden Committee. “Their kids helped, and brought their friends as well — that’s how these things can grow.”
At another garden project, residents of the Kingsport Housing and Development Agency built their own garden. Hilton said many of these kids had never held tools and many adults had never harvested or canned their own food. From that project, two participants received scholarships for the Master Gardener program, and HIlton said children learned to work together and produced and consumed veggies that some had never seen.
The Carter County committee is a prime example of what can happen when an idea like that takes root, is nurtured and begins to mature. It first met last month, after Community Advisory Board members were inspired by the success of Build It Up East Tennessee’s Backyard Gardening Program and formed its own committee. Since then, numerous organizations like the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension in Carter County, Tri-Cities ReadNPlay, Carter County Health Department (CCHD)and Phatboy Landscapes have come together with the common goal of developing a similar educational gardening opportunity.
Jilian Reece, CCHD Health Educator, and other members have continuously invited residents that could benefit from or contribute to a project that establishes four community gardens. The program is inclusive of participants of all ages, abilities and experience.
At the gardens which will be built at the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library (ECCPL)and at Village Pediatrics, the focus will be on educating children and their families about gardening and nutrition. Children from the Boys and Girls Club of Elizabethton and Carter County as well as a local homeschool cooperative and the Breastfeeding Coalition will team up to develop those gardens.
At the Elizabethton Senior Center, raised bed gardens will be built taller than the children’s gardens, and pathways will be handicap accessible. At the Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency, residents will have the opportunity to cultivate their own fresh produce.
Extension Agent Vickie Clark said she would be interested in teaching canning and cooking of produce in order to make the harvest last through colder months.
Hilton and Master Gardener Jerry Ramey spoke to the committee Wednesday about how to make effective gardens, how to gain funding and how to raise awareness and support.
Some of the materials mentioned to create the beds include wood, leaf mulch, manure, plant starts or seeds, hand tools, hoses, gravel, landscaping fabric, wheelbarrows and vehicles for delivery. Additionally, Hilton focused on the importance of gaining community involvement and support with donations, sponsorship and grant funding.
In Hilton’s experience, he said the Kingsport community has been eager to back the projects with supplies, labor and funding, because they see the long-term benefits of improved nutrition, education and community activity for residents.
Reece said the ECCPL has agreed to facilitate a lending library of tools to serve the needs of community gardeners. Those that wish to get involved or to make contributions are encouraged to contact Ashlee Williams or Cheri Tinney at 423-547-6360.
Community gardens can take many forms, but whether they are large and centralized or small and dispersed, Hilton said the important part is that people participate and partner to achieve the greatest results.