This year marked the very first season of our Community Garden, and what a success it has been!
From the very beginning, participants from the Lighthouse program took the lead in deciding what to plant and in getting the garden growing. Throughout the summer and into the fall, the garden became a space that was enjoyed not only during program hours, but also after hours by participants who gained access to fresh, homegrown produce.
The garden was woven into many of our programs, including:
- Little Foodies Edible Crafts
- Kids in the Kitchen
- Summer Camps
- Oasis
- and the creation of our Little Free Garden, a community food-sharing initiative.
We also used the garden as a teaching tool, highlighting traditional practices such as the “Three Sisters” – planting beans near corn to demonstrate mutualism in nature. While participants learned from and supported each other, our garden boxes also became home to bees and insects, reminding us that community extends beyond people to the ecosystem we share.
The response from the wider community was equally inspiring. Our social media posts received many positive comments and high engagement, helping us grow the WNCHC online presence (follow us on Facebook!). The Little Free Garden inspired neighbors to share their own harvests, stories, and memories of gardening. For some who are no longer able to maintain a garden of their own, the chance to bite into a fresh snap pea or cherry tomato brought back joyful memories of summers past.
For our very first year of growing, we truly maximized the garden’s potential. More importantly, we planted the seeds of connection, learning, and community — and we can’t wait to see how the garden continues to grow in the years ahead.