Community Garden Adopted by South Elementary

Weatherly Heights Apts. Community Garden 

Adopted by South Elementary

ROXBORO--At Roxboro Housing Authority's Weatherly Heights Apts., a community garden enhancement event took place on Mon., May 9, 2022, at 5 p.m. RHA staff along with students and staff at South Elementary School conducted planting activities. Light refreshments and variety of prizes were provided for attendees. 

RHA and South Elementary staff and students planted tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash with assistance for local organic farmer Bernard Obie, owner of Abanitu Organics. 

"We look forward to this partnership with South Elementary, allowing staff and students in  our neighborhood to learn firsthand about gardening and by getting their hands dirty," said  Felts Lewis, RHA executive director. "Learning the process of growing produce is not only  educational for the students but life-sustaining for public housing residents that may not  have the means to purchase expensive organic vegetables." 

Since 2018, RHA established at each of its four communities a raised-bed garden where a  variety of organic vegetables are planted throughout the year. Lewis and staff envisioned  that community gardens would promote healthy, outdoor activities and build a sense of  resident unity. 

Residents assisted with the initial planting at each location. Planting at Green Gardens Apts. off Walker St took place on May 3, 2022, at 9 a.m. Planting at Harris  Gardens Apts. off Mt. Bethel Church St. was on May 4, 2022, at 9 a.m. Lee Gardens Apts. planting was May 5, 2022, at 9 a.m.

For more information about community gardening projects, contact Larry Mayfield, family  self-sufficiency coordinator, at (336) 647-4340 or lmayfield@roxboroha.com. Also, visit  www.roxboroha.com or Facebook (@RoxboroHA). 

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