Two community gardens are flourishing in the city of Rocky Mount — thanks to a team of volunteers and gardeners who tend to the bounty for the benefit of their neighbors.
Janeen Noetling, a 71-year-old local resident, said the work in the garden works every muscle, but she feels good and sleeps well, too.
“I’m still able to do a whole lot of stuff, and I love it,” Noetling said.
She said that not only does it give her a good workout, but it also provides healthy food to eat.
“I have everything from carrots to sweet potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, peas, green beans, eggplant,” Noetling listed.
Veronica Jennings, another community gardener, concurred that the community garden has a little of everything.
“This year, the bounty in our garden has just flourished,” Jennings said.
Jennings said some of the success of the garden can be attributed to the work the city did in composting and adding the right type of soil to help the garden grow.
She said about 10-12 gardeners come out and help bring the area to life.
“New people. Old people. It’s a good community,” Jennings noted. “We look out for each other.”
Being back in a garden is something of a surprise for Jennings.
“Never thought I’d dig in dirt again after retiring, but I found my way back in,” Jennings noted.
She said the benefits of gardening are “really true.”
Jennings said the raised beds in the community garden are new this year and popular because there isn’t as much bending over required.
The city of Rocky Mount, with the support of the community, has continued the community gardening initiatives at Happy Hill and Sycamore Park.
The benefits of community gardening are abundant.
Neighborhood beautification
The community gardens in Rocky Mount have been cultivated in underutilized parks and vacant lots. According to city officials, the gardens have created eye-catching spaces where not only residents enjoy spending time but also birds and beneficial insects can congregate.
Access to fresh food
Having community garden sites in Rocky Mount neighborhoods gives families and individuals a chance to grow their own fresh food and fight the food crisis.
Noetling noted that not only does she enjoy the fruits of her labor but she is also is able to “munch on everyone else’s garden” as well.
Educational opportunities
Community gardens, city officials noted, have provided a range of learning opportunities. Community members of all ages can learn how to prepare the soil, tend to seedlings and care for growing plants. Also, the physical activity and hands-on experience support teaching to care for the environment, city officials stated. And as a communal activity, gardening also opens up opportunities for community members to work together and to mentor aspiring gardeners.
Social connections
City officials said that the community gardens have helped to build social cohesion by bringing together people who otherwise would rarely interact. The gardens have brought together people of all ages, races and abilities, city officials said.
Unlike personal gardens, a community garden is designed to be a collaborative project. Coming together to plant seeds, weed rows and pick fresh produce fosters a sense of ownership in the community, city officials said.
By December, city officials estimate that more than 5,000 pounds of food will be grown in the city’s community gardens.
Most Popular
Comments / 0