Contacts
Team Contact
Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
N.C. Cooperative Extension
Chatham County Center
919-542-8202
al_cooke@ncsu.edu
Project Coordinator
Joanna Massey Lelekacs
Horticultural Science
Box 7609
NCSU Campus
Raleigh, NC 27695
919-244-5269
joanna_lelekacs@ncsu.edu
Additional Resources
See Also
Return to main SARE PDP project page.
Year 1 Project Plans and Stories
| Chatham County - School Garden | |
Project Plan |
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| Gaston County - Develop a Local Foods Strategic Plan that is Supported by the Community | |
| Guilford County - Community Garden | |
| Lee, Moore & Richmond Counties - Partner Presentation on Local Foods and Farm Tour | |
| Lenoir County - Farmers' Market Revitalization | |
| Swain County - Farmers' Market Revitalization | |
Year 2 Project Plans and Stories
| Cleveland County – Building Community Awareness and Involvement in the Local Food System | |
| Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – Farmers' Market | |
| Forsyth County – Increasing Awareness of Community Garden/Farm | |
| Forsyth County/GreenXscapes – Community/Educational Garden | |
| Greene County – Farmers' Market | |
| Montgomery County – Farm Tour | |
Other CBFS Efforts
SARE PDP Extension & Community Partnerships
CHATHAM COUNTY: Local Food Projects
(download this page as a .pdf file)Needs Addressed
- Create a community-driven food initiative.
- Make healthy, locally grown food affordable and accessible in Siler City.
Project/Process
Because the SAGE Academy students haven't performed well in other schools, SAGE reorganizes the daily schedule to include "SAGE time" in the middle of the day which opened the door for a garden club. Leaders assisted the students in acquiring materials for creating raised beds. Gardens were planted and the students began to experience the growth processes complete with successes and failures. The garden became a focus of attention among some members of the broader community. At least 30 volunteers have been involved in hands-on work in the garden including Saturday workdays. Others such as the local farm supply or teachers have donated tools and materials. And Chatham County Center of Cooperative Extension included the SAGE gardens as a stop on their annual Farm & Industry Tour. Approximately 65 tour participants listened, watched and asked questions of the students who reported their experiences in planning, planting, tending and harvesting from the gardens. It gave the students experience in public speaking, the opportunity to reflect on how their comments were perceived by others, and the implied respect of others listening and paying attention to them. Work and learning continue as students find first a need then a solution. When a water hose was chopped up in mowing, the students decided that the irrigation lines needed to go underground and made it happen. They are currently learning about the impact of cold on plants and the value of season extension strategies. SAGE was one of five schools in the state selected to pilot the program "High School — Cook Smart/Eat Smart," a culinary program provided through a grant with the Department of Agriculture.
Partnerships
- SAGE Academy
- Bountiful Backyards
- Two local farmers
- Three extension agents
- Soil and water specialist
- Local artist
Lessons Learned
- Think big but start small
- Trust the students to problem solve
- Who shows up is who is needed
Results
- Anecdotal reports that most faculty and many students stop by the gardens to sample something.
- Students were encouraged to take produce home.
- An estimated 10 families received fresh produce often.
- As many as 20-30 families experiencing at least some results from the harvest.
- The garden stimulated discussions at home.
Next Steps
- Integrate the garden into a culinary arts program.
- Reach out via student families to the greater community.
- Get families involved.
Funding for this initiative provided through the USDA, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program.