Preliminary Outcomes of a Community Garden in Small Town Appalachia

Abstract

Teaching individuals and families how to attain food security has been a goal for many members of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), yet many people still struggle with food insecurity, particularly in the Appalachian basin. Several negative physical health and psychosocial outcomes have been attributed to food insecurity among children and adults. Recognizing that food insecurity is problematic in their community, a local branch campus of a large university began a sustainability project by building a community garden on campus grounds. The primary aim of the project was to grow fruits and vegetables to be able to donate to the local food pantry. However, the campus garden provided more than just the fruits and vegetables it produced. The therapeutic benefits of gardening helped faculty, students, and community members increased their sense of well-being, and the garden provided an unconventional classroom, in which each gardener learned about beautification, composting and biofuels, and human nutrition. Because of its success, the community garden may be considered a “Promising Practice” for FCS educators.