Local organizers of the Old School Gardens said the mission is to create and encourage local sustainable food sources while also building community. A nonprofit organization Sustainable Mountain Living Community sponsors the community garden located in downtown Clayton.
Rabun County commissioners donated the space to the group three years ago, but the plots have expanded since then and a waiting list has formed. With the state of the economy and the increasing cost of food has raised awareness about the importance of raising food locally and organically.
Beginning gardeners and experienced planters work side by side and help each other with tips, watering and keeping the critters out of the garden. The local 4-H Club and extension agent helped build a tool shed and the Rabun County High School agriculture department donated transplants for the gardeners.
New gardener Ron Lindahn of Rabun Gap said he was excited about the community garden efforts in the county. "Not only is the price of food rising, but it's important to know where your food comes from," he said.
Lindahn said the community garden allowed people to see where the food came from and who handled it before it reached the table. Even with little experience, he said gardeners were able to grow more than they could eat, and they gave a lot to others. "I think it's great, and we should all do a lot more of it," he said.
Gardeners also commit to giving a portion of their harvest to charities in the community. The Old School Garden donated 440 pounds of the total 720 of produce harvested last year.
SMLC is now pursuing another goal to create a community kitchen and cannery. The organization is seeking grants to renovate a portion of the Clayton Municipal Complex into a commercial kitchen and cannery.
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