GreenTowns connects people around green initiatives

Community gardens are taking off across the country. There here are literally thousands of them, with plans for many more to come. Community gardens are popular for a variety of reasons. People who do not have a garden of their own, are flocking to community gardens and growing their own fruits and vegetables instead of buying produce that often travels hundreds of miles before it reaches the grocery store. Concerns over food safety and an increased interest in organic gardening have also added to the popularity of these gardens. Many towns and cities are providing plots to city dwellers, at practically no cost, creating thousands of urban farmers, ranging from the young, to the young at heart. People grow fruits and vegetables for different reasons. Some plant for themselves and others grow produce and give to those who are not able to afford to buy fresh vegetables. Added features of the community gardens are that they not only provide a wonderful place to grow delicious, hand-pick veggies, the gardens also create and support a local food infrastructure and foster a sense of community. There are many organizations and grassroots efforts that are happy to provide information about how to start and support a community garden.

Local Example: The Generous Garden Project  

Odessa Street, Sterling, Greenville, SC

As with most things, the true beginning began through dialogue, relationships, and trust. The owner of the property had shown up to a Summit announcing the kick off of a Healthy Community Initiative through a local hospital named Bon Secours St. Francis in Greenville, SC. The initiative launched in her old neighborhood, Sterling, just outside downtown. Her name is Peggy Baxter and 3 years ago, she knew nothing about gardens and was more interested in advocating for senior citizens. After a year or so of working with the hospital, many other partners, and the seniors themselves to revitalize senior programming to be more empowerment based, she attended a meeting last February of 2010 and as the hospital system was describing other opportunities to build sustainability in the community, she had a realization: she owns land in the community. She then realized she could have a garden built upon it. And so we began early last summer to build a garden on land she grew up on. It has since received a lot of attention for its organic practices and grassroots management. People far and wide have come to see the garden and offer their support. A group of architects are currently designing a new shed system for the garden this summer! However, much is needed in terms of landscaping, tools, and support. It’s important to keep the effort “owned” by the community so that it is protected indefinitely, but support from the outside is always welcomed.