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Engaging Volunteers to Enhance Community Garden Efforts

Horticulture & Turfgrass

Karen Neill
Horticulture Agent Retired
NC Cooperative Extension Service
Summerfield

Abstract

A recent media focus has been healthy eating. It’s easy to do if you grow your own food, and community gardens can provide an excellent way to do that. Community gardening is not a new concept, going back to the 1800s in this country. They have served many different purposes: improving neighborhoods, expressing cultural traditions, and growing food. Community gardens have gained national attention for their role in helping people improve their health through better nutrition. They also encourage exercise, build bridges between neighborhoods and communities, and contribute to a greener community. Learn how Cooperative Extension, working through volunteers, can establish community garden outreach programs. Learn how to create a program that uses these Volunteers to mentor and assist community groups in the establishment and maintenance of community gardens. Working together we can educate participants with research based, environmentally sound, and economically practical gardening information. Let’s not forget the rising number of homeless and hungry in your communities. Let us show you how to use these same Community gardens to share fresh produce to those in need through a 10% campaign. Authors: Neill, K. C.
  1. Neill, K. C. Horticulture Agent, Nc Cooperative Extension Service, North Carolina, 27405