Sounds of laughter filled the area Tuesday afternoon as children flocked to Pine Ridge to work on their green thumbs.
Each year continues to get better, according to Carter County Community Advisory Board (CAB) member Jilian Reece, as the organization officially started the 2017 planting season for the county’s community garden project. Children joined at the Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency (EHDA) leading complex Tuesday while volunteers also assisted the installation of garden beds at the United Way of Elizabethton/Carter County’s South Hills office in Elizabethton.
“We’re so excited about having the opportunity to have a second year of community gardens,” Reece said. “We saw such a benefit last year. So many families and community partners benefited from having the gardens.”
Representatives from CAB, Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, UT-Extension, Build It Up families, EHDA and other volunteers worked with children planting vegetation at Pine Ridge.
“We’re also happy to add community gardens from last year,” she added. “We have our sites from last year, the senior center, Village Pediatrics and Breastfeeding Medicine, EHDA, the library, the health department, Roan Highlands and the new United Way location on South Hills.”
Reece added that the public is encouraged to use the resources available at each site and can plant their vegetation. The project is used as a way to promote clean and healthy living for Elizabethton and Carter County.
“This is entirely funded by donations from Carter County Farm Bureau and other community partners,” Reece said.
The CAB Vice Chair also commended the efforts of Lowe’s, who donated each of the plants used for the gardens.
“We’re so grateful for Lowe’s,” she said. “They donated all of the plants for each of the 24 beds. Shane Case is the manager of our Lowes branch, and we’re so thankful for him. He’s been such an asset for us and has made such an impact because we’ve been able to so much with their help.”
Case and Lowe’s staff have stayed active in the community with a variety of projects along with the community gardens, including the Drop Collaborative located in the Stoney Creek community.
CAB wanted a way to give back Case, according to Reece.
“Lowe’s has been such a great partner for us,” she said. “Shane has done so much for us, so we wanted to do something to say thanks. We’re currently working on a memorial for his daughter, Camryn, who tragically passed away. We’re working alongside City Parks and Recreation to have a memorial set up on the Linear Trail, and we hope to have it completed in the coming months.
Opportunities are available for any businesses or organizations looking to take part in the community gardens. Reece said interested individuals could contact her at ccdpdirector@outlook.com or visit the Carter County Community Advisory Board Facebook page online.