First Reformed UCC Community Garden undergoing restoration - volunteers needed
First Reformed United Church of Christ (UCC) in Lexington established its Community Garden in 2011, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021. Church members started the Garden to produce fresh fruit and vegetables for food banks in the community and to educate the church youth about gardening and where our food comes from. With the support of Davidson County Cooperative Extension, a group of dedicated Church volunteers converted an old, unused daycare playground into a raised bed Garden.
With an initial grant from the Davidson County Health Department and ongoing support from the Church consistory and the Lexington Garden Club, volunteers and paid garden workers from the Open Hands Ministry of Davidson County have added an automated irrigation system, raised metal garden beds and a pollinator garden to attract bees and butterflies to the vegetable garden. It has a small, but productive blueberry patch, a perennial asparagus bed and a large bed for growing sweet potatoes and butternut squash. In addition, seasonally the Garden produces potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, squash, onions, beans, okra, greens, eggplant and an occasional watermelon.
Since its inception, on a little less than a quarter of an acre, the Community Garden has:
produced nearly 4,000 pounds of fresh produce given to Pastors’ Pantry and Open Hands Ministry of Davidson County,
employed a garden coordinator and garden workers from Open Hands Ministry at a living wage,
hosted several Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners workshops,
engaged church youth and underserved children in garden planting and harvesting,
sponsored the Great Tomato Sandwich Give Away in 2019 serving more than 50 community members.
The First Reformed UCC Community Garden is a resource for the entire community with a focus on providing fresh produce to food insecure members of our community. Youth groups and others can adopt-a-bed or help out with garden workdays. For those wanting to start their own community garden, Church volunteers and members of the Davidson County Local Food Network can provide advice and assistance.
The First Reformed UCC Community Garden is listed with the North Carolina Community Garden Partners. Their website has resources for groups wanting to start their own community garden. The American Community Gardening Associations list more than 150 community gardens in North Carolina.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has limited volunteer participation in the Garden, the
Church is recommitting to the Garden’s mission. 2022 will be a year of renovation and restoration in the Garden and new volunteers are needed and welcomed. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions and would like to learn more about starting a community garden, please contact First Reformed UCC Community Garden Coordinator, Edgar Miller at 336-688-2651.
