The Lasting Effects of Community Gardens in North Carolina
Community gardening has become a great way to mix local involvement, outdoor education, and food security within small communities all around the United States.
Community gardening if done sustainably can have a long list of lasting effects on the surrounding residents…
Increase availability of fresh & healthy food (Food security)
North Carolina is known for its fertile soil that is used for large-scale agricultural operations and its deep-rooted history within environmental justice. Food insecurity has become a massive issue across the United States and is extremely prevalent in North Carolina. “At the end of 2019, one in ten U.S households was classified as food insecure” (Bowen, 2022).
A small-scale solution that is continuing to grow in many different neighborhoods throughout the United States is community gardening. The creation of community gardens has been proven to curve local food insecurity in urban and rural areas, along with having lasting positive effects on residents.
Decrease diet-related chronic illnesses
Recent reports show maps of food-insecure areas and diet-related chronic illnesses are almost identical across the country.
Community gardens have the availability to grow heaves of healthy fresh produce in communal spaces.
Bringing together communities
Urban gardening has been shown to have a lasting effect on communities and the sustainability of community gardens in general.
Another study published in Global Urban Gardening explained the substantial social benefits of shared gardens such as community building, interaction, sharing of knowledge, and empowerment.
Decreases stress and increase overall better mental well-being
A study published by the National Institute of Health showed a significant decrease in anxiety and stress of food insecurity after implementing a community garden within a rural neighborhood in Portland Oregon.
Community Gardens in North Carolina
Rise Up Community Farm — Wilmington, NC
This community farm specializes in “using sustainable and chemical-free farming practices to produce healthy fruits and vegetables and to ensure that our community has access to fresh produce, while empowering local youth”. They focus on cultivation, education, nourishment, and empowerment.
Peace, Gardens, & Market — Asheville, NC
“The Peace Gardens is a destination where community is built — a place where we learn, grow, build, create, and heal together.” They have created a vision of sustainability, inspiration, and healing.
The Well Fed Garden — Raleigh, NC
“We strive not only to represent a healing model of living, but we host many opportunities to connect folks of all ages with how food is grown — Volunteering, Workshops, Farm Stands, and more.” Their mission is top reconnect with Mother Nature.
How To Create your Own
Pick out your location based on need
Calling Local schools, non-profits, colleges, and public libraries is a great place to start.
Figure out the permitting and regulations needed
The regulations for community gardens in North Carolina vary from city to city. Many require a chosen zoning location, due diligence request, along with city and state approval.
Find volunteers
Using many different forms of outreach will create more success when finding volunteers. You can use posters, social media, canvassing, and reaching out to local charities and news stations.
Plan out your build
There is an array of options you can add to your garden including compost bins, shade covers, raised beds, and storage sheds. It is also important to note what type of watering methods you plan on using based on your region in NC (underground irrigation, rain barrels, watering cans, etc). This is also a great time to figure out what gardening supplies you are going to need for volunteers and communal harvest.
Plants
Choosing the best plants for your garden will also be based on the location of NC. It is recommended to introduce native pollinators and vegetables that do well in your region’s soil medium to achieve a fruitful harvest. Within this step, you will also want to figure out how you will sustain your soil health in the future such as using compost.
Bring the community to the garden
The last and most important step in creating your garden is the community! Actions taken in this step will be similar to finding volunteers with signs, posters, organizations, and news outreach.
Support Local
It has been proven that community gardens have countless positive effects on their surrounding communities. There are many different community gardens in North Carolina that help provide nourishment, education, and conversation. These gardens are used and supported to bring a continuation of benefits to our neighbors.
References
Balvanz, P., et al, (2016). From voice to choice: African American youth examine childhood obesity in rural North Carolina. Progress in Community Health Partnerships-Research Education and Action, 10(2), 293–303.https://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.2016.0036
Birky, J., & Strom, E. (2013). Urban Perennials: How diversification has created a sustainable community garden movement in the United States. Urban Geography, 34(8), 1193–1216. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723638.2013.784086
Bowen, S., Elliott, S., & Hardison-Moody, A. (2022). Rural food insecurity: A longitudinal analysis of low-income rural households with children in the south. Rsf-the Russell Sage Journal of the Social Sciences,8(3), 50–77. https://doi.org/10.7758/rsf.2022.8.3.02
Burt, K. G., et al, (2020). A systematic, mixed studies review of the outcomes of community garden participation related to food justice. Local Environment, 26(1), 17–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2020.1861589
Carney, P. A., et al, (2012). Impact of a community gardening project on vegetable intake, food security and family relationships: A community-based participatory research study. Journal of Community Health, 37(4), 874–881. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-011-9522-z
Parece, T. E., & Campbell, J. B. (2017). A survey of urban community gardeners in the USA. Global Urban Agriculture: Convergence of Theory and Practice between North and South, 38–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/9781780647326.0038
