Randolph County gardening volunteer program tackles meals insecurity

Food security is one of the main issues Randolph County’s residents face, according to a 2019 Community Health Assessment. As part of the Master Gardener Volunteers program, the Randolph County Cooperative Extension trains people to expand educational opportunities that improve the community.

The program aims to help volunteers develop an understanding of where food comes from, how it is made, and promote environmental stewardship in the community. The initiative also supports community health and wellbeing through gardening to promote access to fresh and healthy food.

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Volunteer Charles Hardin completed the program a few years ago and looked for opportunities to apply his newfound knowledge to work in the community.

Some projects included planting a community garden with raised beds to expose residents of the apartment to gardening and efforts to renovate a green roof garden at a nearby Department of Transportation visitor center for the public.

“This project has provided a lot of opportunities to interact with the public and answer questions about the interesting plants on the roof,” said Hardin.

Consultant Annie Mills has received many inquiries from residents in the county for assistance with projects related to environmental and gardening initiatives. She has also seen a keen interest in gardening, landscaping, and general home improvement since the pandemic.

“Randolph County was ranked 12% of its population with unsafe food in the Piedmont Triad’s most recent regional food assessment,” Mills said. “We urgently need more volunteer master gardeners who can help provide education and support for community and school garden projects that help tackle food insecurity.”

Over the past five years, Master Gardeners have done more than 1,200 hours of community service across the county through a variety of gardening projects.

This year, several gardeners helped the office’s 4-H program put together 1,400 seed kits for families. “It took several days and about eight volunteers just for the gathering. Kits provided seeds, soil, and educational resources for growing a kitchen garden at home.”

Since 1979, the program has trained and delivered research-based information to engage the community. The first step in the training is to attend briefings about the requirements for the program.

Other steps are implemented to build experienced master gardeners for public outreach.

• Take five of six Backyard Gardener classes: classes include Central Lawns, Growing Fruits and Berries, Growing Vegetables, Growing Herbs, Gardening for Pollinators, and Landscaping with Locals.
• Get Involved in Summer Activities and Projects: The program believes summer activities are a great way to meet other volunteers and improve their skills.
• Submit applications by Monday, August 2: A background check is required as part of the application process and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
• Participation Orientation: An orientation session for participants enrolled in the program will be held on Tuesday, August 31, from 6pm to 8pm. To be determined online vs. in person.
• Full EMG Core Training: Core training courses are held in the fall that focus on the skills needed as a volunteer and how the knowledge can be used to teach others.
• Volunteers: Volunteers complete a 40-hour internship within one year of completing their training.
• Annual recertification and continuation of training: The minimum requirements for a gardener to remain in this district are at least 20 hours of voluntary service per year plus 10 hours of further training per year.

Continue reading: The Asheboro Salvation Army is fighting the increased food insecurity caused by COVID

Mills received positive feedback from many of the lifelong gardeners in the program who learned about the extensive knowledge of horticulture and gardening.

The program wants volunteers to leave initial training with a deeper understanding of scientifically based sustainable gardening practices and feel confident about bringing their knowledge to communities, schools and neighborhoods.

Petruce Jean-Charles is a reporter for the Government Guard. They are interested in what is going on in the community and are open to tips on people, companies and topics. Contact Petruce at pjeancharles@gannett.com and follow @PetruceKetsia on Twitter.