A new season, a new volunteer opportunity...

This column spends a lot of time looking at ways to improve our local government, and sometimes that can come off as being a bit “negative”.  So, periodically it's nice to talk about the good things people are doing in the community.  This last week saw two emails land in the inbox that are excellent reminders of that.  

A few short months ago during Christmas week, this column told you about the Room In The Inn (RITI) program run by Urban Ministries in Charlotte where local church congregations and other organizations provide a warm place to sleep for our homeless neighbors during the winter months.  In Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson 15 different congregations participate.

As of March 31st, this year’s RITI program has come to an end, so I wanted to pass along an update and some numbers.

Over the course of the 2014/2015 Winter, RITI provided almost the exact same number of bed nights, as it did last year – just over 17,000.   The number of families needing shelter and the total number of children actually increased slightly this winter.  The overall number of organizations participating stayed exactly the same at 135.

The good news here is that because of this program and the thousands of volunteers who helped make it a success, that was 17,000 nights people were spared from the cold.

Please keep this effort in mind next year is you are looking for a worthwhile cause that can make a real difference.

While the RITI effort was winding down, the other effort I’ll mention is just getting ramped up.  

It is an opportunity where people can really get into the weeds – pun intended – while helping others.  That opportunity would be the annual start of the Davidson Community Garden on Potts Street in Davidson behind the Wells Fargo drive through.

The garden is on land donated by Davidson College with its unofficial kickoff each year being a work day as part of the annual “Great Day of Service” put on by Davidson United Methodist Church.  This year that was on March 14th.

Five years ago, the initial garden was build during the DUMC event, and it has been added to every year.

The second summer saw the garden double in size.  For the third summer, the garden set the goal of donating a full ton of food to the Loaves and Fishes food pantry at the Ada Jenkins Center.  That goal was met and has been repeated annually since then. After three summers of watering using a 300 foot hose and crossing the railroad tracks, a fundraiser brought in more than enough money needed to install a permanent water supply going into season number four.  

Along the way the garden has brought together people from all across the community.  On any given Saturday, you will see residents from neighborhoods all across town.  Families, students from the college, seniors and young children can all be seen working together.

There are a number of groups that participate regularly such as different Scout Troops and classes from the Community School of Davidson.  There is also one group that likely never sees the fruits of their labor – local inmates.  Many of the plants that are grown in the garden get their start in the greenhouse of the North Mecklenburg Jail in Charlotte as part of a work training program.

The whole operation is coordinated by Connie and Eddie Beach of Davidson.  For their efforts, they were honored last November with the town’s annual “Jack Burney Award” for community service.

So, if you are interested in learning how potatoes are harvested, stop by in early June.  You may get to see what a hundred pounds of potatoes coming out of the ground looks like.  Or, if you've ever wondered where that odd looking southern staple, okra, comes from, then check out the tall bushy plants that seem to be growing just fine in the blistering heat of July and August.  The okra plant is from Africa, and it takes off when most other things start to wither.

Unlike most “community gardens” there are no fees or individual plots.  The Davidson Community Garden donates the bulk of the produce to the Loaves and Fishes food pantry at the Ada Jenkins Center.  It’s truly a garden for the community.

However, even though you won't have your own personal plot at this garden, there is a good side benefit to volunteering.  After a good morning’s work, you might just get to take home one of those juicy tomatoes.

Garden volunteers meet Saturday mornings at about 10am through the fall.

Harvest: It's Not Just a Fall Thing

People often think of "harvest" time coming only in the fall, but in reality it goes on all year.

Remember those stunning yellow fields off of NC73 and June Washam Rd?

Last week, with the arrival of a big green harvester, they began their journey to becoming canola oil.

The same can be said for harvesting at the Davidson Community Garden.  It goes on all year.  In a recent message from garden coordinator, Connie Beach, DCG has donated over 250 lbs of produce to Loaves and Fishes at Ada Jenkins in just the past two weeks.  A huge harvest of potatoes was pulled out of the ground and the recent rains have caused the squash, zucchini, and cucumbers to just explode!  That 250lbs mentioned above does not even include the tremendous harvest of squash this week.

100 lbs of produce!!!

Yes, that's a 5lb zucchini!!!

The Davidson Community Garden volunteers meet every Saturday at 10am at the garden on Potts Street.  Come on out and help keep bringing in the unbelievable bounty this year!

Davidson Community Garden gets its own water supply!

As was reported back in April, the Davidson Community Garden far surpassed its goal fundraising goal to get its own water meter.
Over the past two weeks there has been a lot of work done. It took longer than expected to get CMUD out to do the installation, but I'm happy to report the work is now complete.  The DCG has a permanent water supply!

Eddie Beach says "the 3 yard hydrants are operational...and GREAT!!!"

When those hot days of summer get here (eventually), the garden and the gardeners won't have to worry about that most critical component - water.

It also comes just in time for more planting as the donations to DCG keep on coming.

From the latest email blast to volunteers...

"The good news for the garden just keeps on flowing! The horticulture program at North Meck High has generously donated both flower and vegetable seedlings, and a kind neighbor is bringing them up today, just in time for us to plant." (Note: Meet at DCG at 10am on Saturdays to volunteer.)


Thanks to everyone in the community who helped make this project happen!!!

Davidson Community Garden Meets and Surpasses Fundraising Goal

As a testament to both the generosity of local residents and the value of the project to the community, I am proud to report that the Davidson Community Garden blew away its fundraising goal - bringing in just shy of $4000. Donations are still trickling in with a more exact total available in April. However, with the original goal being $3000, the project has already eclipsed this mark by nearly 25%.

This allows the project to begin installation of its own water system with work to begin as soon as this coming week - just in time for the planting season!

The tentative plan is to have 2 - 3 spigots in place which will allow for much easier watering and less dragging of heavy hoses. This will allow children to help out more easily as well as support the installation of some drip irrigation and soaker hoses throughout the rows and box beds. Having a consistent water supply will also improve production.

So, how did the project get to $4000 in just three short months of quiet fundraising?

Here's the breakdown. To start, all donations came from private sources including two large gifts. The first was a $1000 anonymous gift intended as a matching grant. A second donation of several hundred dollars came from Cub Scouts Pack 58. The Scouts are regular volunteers at the garden as well - donating time and energy in addition to making this very generous financial gift. Together, these two donations accounted for a little less than half of the total. The majority came from numerous smaller amounts donated from people all across town - ranging from a few dollars to over $100. This was a true community effort.

Special, thanks go out to Mike Kessler with Davidson College and Michael Whaley and Glenn Kinken with DUMC for their support with the logistics of making this happen. The garden is on land owned by the College with financial and organizational support coming from DUMC. Without the support of these two organizations, the garden would not be where it is today - both literally and figuratively.

As the Davidson Community Garden enters its fourth growing season, the future could not be brighter!





Stories on DCG from Last Year:

Davidson Community Garden - Growing Food for a Good Cause - March 24, 2012
Davidson Community Garden - A Quarter Ton So Far - July 2, 2012
Davidson Community Garden Reaches 1-Ton Goal - December 20, 2012

Davidson Community Garden Fundraising Update

As mentioned back in January, the Davidson Community Garden launched a fundraising drive to install a water meter. After a record growing season last year where the garden donated over a ton of food to Ada Jenkins, installing a permanent water source will help ensure the garden's success in the future. 

Connie and Eddie Beach of South Street continue to do a wonderful job promoting the garden. At this point in the fundraising effort, I am pleased to report the garden is more than halfway to its goal of $3000!  See this  article from the Charlotte Observer earlier this month for a more detailed update on their efforts leading the garden - On tap at the Davidson Community Garden.

If you'd like to contribute and help the effort get over the finish line, please make check payable to DUMC, note "Community Garden" in the memo and mail to:

Davidson United Methodist Church
PO BOX 718
Davidson, NC 238036

Davidson Community Garden Needs Your Help

Below is a note from Connie and Eddie Beach who coordinate the Davidson Community Garden activities covered here at at aShortChronicle over the past year.  I'm posting it in case anyone has any interest in helping support this community effort.

After 3 years of operation, the DCG needs to get its own irrigation tap.  The total cost is estimated to be about $3000.  Donations are being accepted through one of the garden sponsors here in town, Davidson United Methodist Church.  See details at the bottom of the note.  If you think you can help, it would be greatly appreciated.  As the campaign progresses I'll be posting updates here.

Including an initial matching grant from an anonymous donor, the total starts off at $1000.

Other DCG Posts...

Davidson Community Garden - Growing Food for a Good Cause  March 24, 2012

Davidson Community Garden - A Quarter Ton So Far July 1, 2012

Davidson Community Garden Reaches 1-Ton Goal! December 20, 2012

Note from Connie and Eddie Beach

Dear Volunteers and Friends of Davidson Community Garden,

As we move toward the completion of our 3rd year of gardening, let's look at
3 words* describing growth now and ahead.

* WOW! A ton of vegetables from DCG has been given to Loaves and
Fishes. We hit 2002 pounds the week before Christmas. That is an increase
of about 600 lbs. from last year and over 1000 from the previous year.
Here's a photo of the harvest that topped the one ton mark: .

* THANKS! Credit for this bountiful harvest goes to the many
volunteers-individuals and groups-who have given time, energy, and know-how
to the tending of the garden. From soil preparation to planting to watering
to weeding to harvest, everyone has dug in and given their best. Thanks to
our sponsors for their support . especially Davidson United Methodist Church
and Davidson College. And thanks to God for the miracles of community and
gardening!

* HELP! Water is an essential for any garden. For the first 3 years
we have been able to get water from the empty house next door. Since at
some point this will no longer be a resource, it makes sense to secure our
own water supply. The fee for tapping into the water line is $2200, and the
cost for plumbing and materials is $800, for a total of about $3000. So, for
the first time, we are asking volunteers and friends of the garden to make a
donation to help achieve this goal. The great news is that we already have
a grant which will match up to $1000 in donations! All donations are
tax-deductible. If you'd like to contribute, please make check payable to
DUMC, note "Community Garden" in the memo and mail to:

Davidson United Methodist Church
PO Box 718
Davidson, NC 28036

We'd love to have the garden's water installed by early March, ready
for spring planting!

The Davidson Community Garden continues to fulfill its mission of bringing
people together from the community to grow healthy, abundant food made
available to many needy families through Loaves and Fishes, and to everyone
willing to "dig in". We appreciate your taking part in the garden's growth
and success thus far and in the years ahead!

Gratefully,
Connie and Eddie Beach

* The 3 words were inspired by Anne Lamott's newest book HELP THANKS WOW;
THE THREE ESSENTIAL PRAYERS

Davidson Community Garden Reaches 1-Ton Goal!

The Harvest that Reached the 1-Ton Goal

On Thursday, The Davidson Community Garden harvested the final pounds needed to reach its annual goal - a ton of food donated to Loaves and Fishes at Ada Jenkins - just in time for Christmas.  Starting in early spring the garden has produced all year long bringing in dozens of new volunteers as well as the many pounds of fresh produce.  The largest harvest in a single weekend was 112lbs in early September.

The credit for all this really goes to Connie and Eddie Beach of South Street.  They have been tireless in their devotion to this worthy cause.  The below is an exerpt from a nomination letter submitted for them for Davidson's "Jack Burney Award" for community service.  While they were not selected this year, with results like this they should be contenders in years to come.

"This nomination is for Connie and Eddie Beach of South Street for their efforts launching the Davidson Community Garden. Connie and Eddie founded the Davidson Community Garden 3 years ago and have worked tirelessly ever since to make the project a success. In three short years the garden has gone from an empty lot by the railroad tracks to a productive garden that will donate nearly a ton of food this year.

Located on Potts street behind Fuel Pizza the garden has quickly become a landmark in the town. This endeavor embodies everything that makes Davidson a wonderful place. The weekly gardening sessions are open to all. It is one of the few places where people from River Run to the West Side regularly congregate. The garden provides educational and service opportunities for students from elementary school up through Davidson College. The garden itself is a form of public art when in full bloom, and it also has numerous stepping stones handcrafted by local elementary school students. The garden feeds the needy through the food pantry at Ada Jenkins with thousands of pounds of fresh produce donated to date. Recently, Summit Coffee has started trying to compost all of its coffee grounds - an effort that started with Eddie regularly taking 5 gallon buckets of grounds to the garden. Connie is constantly thinking of the next thing the garden can do and how it can be improved. She has reached out to every possible resource to gain donated equipment, supplies and seed - even getting several loads of transplants from the North Mecklenburg jail's greenhouse. She also regularly coordinates groups such as the Boy Scouts and High Schoolers from CSD to come out for workdays. Starting this Fall 8th grade classes from CSD will come to the garden regularly to participate.

It is really quite impressive what the two of them have done in a short time with very limited resources. Their leadership has created one of the true gems in Davidson."

Davidson Community Garden - A Quarter Ton So Far

Just a quick update on the Davidson Community Garden...

Harvesting is now in full swing.  After Saturday's efforts, DCG will be over 500 lbs delivered to Ada Jenkins - a quarter ton and a quarter way towards the goal of a full ton by year end!  The first big harvest of potatoes was dug up (sorry, no pictures today!), and cantelopes are beginning to come in as well.  That should really bring the weight.  We're also looking at a record tomato harvest this year.

The garden has also started to get some colorful "visibility" around town. Garden coodinator, Connie Beach, sent out the following as part of a recent update to volunteers...

"Stop by Summit Coffee to check out the lovely flowers decorating the tables...they are courtesy of the community garden. The good folks at Summit have been wonderful the last couple of years donating coffee grounds almost every day for the compost pile, so we are delighted they are finding a small
way to benefit from the garden. It's a happy trade!"

Stop by some Saturday morning and see what's happening!  We always need the help!

Davidson Trifecta: DCG, Market "Flash Mob", and Band of Oz

This weekend around town provided a trifecta of examples why Davidson is a great place to live.  As I've said before it's like living in a Norman Rockwell painting at times and this weekend was one of those times.

Davidson Community Garden - Growing Food for a Good Cause

Some Spring Greens

Something on the beaten path...

As part of DUMC's "Great Day of Service", the Davidson Community Garden on Potts street got underway in earnest on Saturday.  Now in its third year and fully built out, the garden is set to donate an increased amount of food to those in need.  It's one of the  unique gems of living in Davidson that residents should check out this spring and summer.