Volunteer Opportunities at New Community Garden in Mount Airy, N.C

Volunteer service is essential and needed in many areas. Can you imagine a more worthwhile way to donate your time than helping feed hungry children, the homeless and those who are temporarily down on their luck?

This volunteer opportunity exists in many communities. If you live in or around Mount Airy, N.C., you can volunteer at one of the newest community gardens in the country. Just getting started in Mount Airy, N.C., the community garden is located behind the fire station on Rockford St. Get involved and help make a difference while participating in the rewards of gardening.

Both those with and without gardening skills are encouraged to volunteer. Surry County Master Gardeners offer training in all aspects of growing produce in the garden. Master Gardeners in other counties function in the same capacity.

Learn gardening basics such as preparing the soil, planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. Experience the thrills of watching the garden grow; knowing that food is destined for the tables of those who need it.

Funded through a grant from Nourishing North Carolina (NNC) provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance of N.C. (BCBSNC); funds are dispersed by the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center and Mount Airy Parks and Recreation. The goal is a community garden program to make local, healthy food more available to those in need across the state. Ten percent of the harvest must go to local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food banks, according to NNC guidelines.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) launched the program in partnership with the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) to create or enhance community gardens in all 100 North Carolina counties over the next three years”, according to a recent report by the Mount Airy News.

Advantages of Volunteering at Community Gardens

Feeding the hungry, always a worthwhile project. Gardening is great exercise. Growing vegetables will encourage you to eat more of them, also a health benefit. Being involved in a worthwhile community project; a good way to meet your neighbors. Learning gardening skills or sharpening those you already have. Take home part of the harvest. Food you’ve had a part in growing always tastes best.

If you have an urge to garden or are interested in feeding your family in a healthier way, consider spending some time in your local community garden. Contact Nikol Dupuis at 336-401-8575 for information on volunteer opportunities in the community garden.

More Volunteer Opportunities in N.C. Community Gardens

Thirty new community gardens are in progress in neighboring Forsyth County. To volunteer at a Community Garden in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area, contact Mary Jac Brennan at [email protected] or call 336-703-2869.

Sources:

Extension Master Gardeners: Master Gardeners Involved in Nourishing North Carolina through Community Garden Partnerships

Mount Airy News – Community garden planned in city
Nourishing North Carolina
“NC Cooperative Extension Newsletter”, August 2011


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