CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – An army of volunteers united with multiple local partners to revitalize an abandoned community garden in the Brandon Hills neighborhood of Downtown Clarksville.
The project is a collaborative effort among Montgomery County Government, Clarksville Academy, The Food Initiative, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region and the Montgomery County / TSU Extension staff. The garden, originally established by Geneva Bell and the Mount Olive Preservation Society, will provide a sustainable food source for low-income residents and foster educational opportunities.
Clarksville Academy students participating in the Challenge Based Learning (CBL) program are tasked with identifying a community need and working together to provide a solution. Those in the school’s Food Production group adopted the community garden project and assuming responsibility for its design and successful completion. The students worked with teachers and community leaders to coordinate logistics and address project challenges. The experience provides students with a learning opportunity that extends well beyond the classroom and into the real world.
The Food Initiative, led by Michael Hampton, will take responsibility with volunteer groups and local youth to maintain the garden and make available fresh produce to low income community residents. Funds for the garden are provided by Montgomery County government with numerous supplies having been donated by Lowe’s of Madison Street.
The expansive volunteer effort is coordinated by United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region. On February 26, volunteers dug into make a hands-on difference by clearing the lot of debris and overgrowth, building the raised beds, painting picnic tables, and completing numerous project tasks. Approximately twenty-five Tennova Healthcare – Clarksville employees volunteered their time, along with more than twenty volunteers and students from Daymar Institute. Among those participating were also volunteers from the City of Clarksville, First Advantage Bank, local Master Gardeners and representatives from the Mount Olive Preservation Society.
Additional volunteers are needed to plant the garden beds and complete other projects to enhance the site on March 18th, as well as on April 22nd when the garden will be dedicated in celebration of Earth Day. To volunteer or receive more information, visit www.volunteerclarksville.volunteerhub.com or call United Way at (931) 647-4291.