The One Valley Gardens – the Carver Garden and the Garden at 8th & Gilmer – had a very productive year recording 6,670 lbs. of produce distributed, of which 4,616 lbs. went to local food pantries. The gardens have been put to bed for the winter, except for a few wintergreens that we will distribute periodically. Distribution to food pantries will be discontinued until next spring.
The year finished off with a Halloween Fest on October 31st, a Harvest Celebration on November 1st, and work on refurbishing the orchard area at the Carver Garden.
This was the first year holding a Halloween Fest, and although the audience was slim, it was enthusiastic and enjoyed by all who came that Halloween night. In keeping with the tradition to give food away, all leftover treat bags were donated to a Jamaican relief effort organized in the area.
The next day, the Harvest Festival showcased a number of homemade food treats, along with entertainment from several local artists. Everyone left with a squash or two from the last of the harvests.
After the festival, the orchard area at the Carver Garden was given a new coating of mulch, weedy pathways covered with cardboard and mulch or landscape fabric, signage was added to all of the trees, and new blueberry and raspberry bushes were added to the area.
