I MPACT :
Feeding a Community: Organic Garden at Goochland Campus Toni Gregory, Horticulture Faculty and 2012 Horticulture Alum It is always impressive to me how the smallest beginnings can yield great things. All of what we are doing in the Organic Vegetable Garden began as tiny seeds in packs that would not have even filled a plastic baggie! Now, we are pulling average harvests of 50-100 pounds weekly. Our hope is the program can be replicated in other communities. What you produce in your own space is that much less you need from the grocery store, that much less fossil fuel needed. Terry Lynn Smith, Goochland Free Clinic & Family Services Goochland County is made up of very diverse social demographics. While there are million dollar plus homes here, there are also houses without indoor plumbing. We have over 100 families that depend on the Food Pantry every week for food stability. The organic garden is an amazing resource for the Food Pantry. Our families are so thankful to have such super fresh vegetables, just picked the day before. All of this is bringing our community together, a prime example of neighbors helping neighbors.
The organic garden at Reynolds’ Goochland Campus feeds more than 100 families a week. The weekly harvest is delivered to the Food Pantry of Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services. Financial donations to the Horticulture Program help to offset labor and production costs.
David Seward, Program Head, Horticulture The coolest thing about my job is finding people of like mind, with the same passion to make things happen. A few years ago, landscaping in front of the building was nearly nil; all that changed when Scott Burrell came on board. Betsy Trice and her mom, Cindy Conner, had been teaching sustainable subject matter for years; we now have a Career Studies Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture. For this project, I pulled in Toni to manage the garden and Betsy to lead the curriculum. It’s a big project, but you’d be amazed at the work people put in when they know what it’s going for. The master gardeners who volunteer with us are incredible. Everyone is of like mind: they like to grow, harvest, and give back.
Betsy Trice, Horticulture Faculty Why is teaching sustainable agriculture so important? It empowers people. Being able to grow even a portion of your own food is a huge thing. The seed library on campus is a great community resource and we hope folks take advantage of it. We have actual seeds for sharing and advice on planting – and, it’s free. The thing that keeps me going is when students come back after the class a year or two later, or they’ll me an email to say thank you. What they’ve learned in class has taken them on a journey. They’ve met people and made connections they wouldn’t have made otherwise.
Maddie, Student I don’t have a garden at home, and this is my way to get experience in the dirt. I’m glad that people can eat fresh food because of what we’re doing.
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation, Inc.
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