Report to the NC Cooperative Extension Agriculture Programs Foundation Board
Consumer Horticulture Agent in Lenoir County, Paige Petticrew was recently invited to speak at the NC Cooperative Extension Agriculture Programs Foundation Board in Cary, NC. Paige received an Extension Innovation Grant in the spring of 2023 and was asked to report on how she utilized the grant funding to the board.
Paige wrote the $5000 grant with the help of Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Jeannie Holmes, for the funds to be used at the Children’s Garden. In the spring of 2023, the Children’s Garden was still in developmental stages, and the group was looking for funding that would support the laying out the garden design which included renting a trencher for fence installation, amending the soil, moving of structures, and to purchase basic garden function needs.
The presentation to the board was filled with images of the work that was accomplished with the help of the grant funding. In the twelve months the grant funding needed to be used, the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Paige worked hard to ensure every penny was used appropriately and stretched it as far as it would go! Local businesses were utilized in much of the process. Backyard Movers was able to move existing structures already owned by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers to the site, and the grant funding paid for the relocation. An Honorary Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, Eddie King, was able to purchase the materials for the ramp with grant funds and added it to the shed in his spare time.
The garden site was severely overgrown in several areas and was in need of bush hogging and weed eating. Rocky Roads LLC of Wayne County was able to come and complete the clearing of debris and weed-eating, as well as spreading compost on the site, and the grant funding was able to pay for this work.
Split rail fence was donated to the garden initiative, and Boy Scout Troop 41 was in need of hours for badge completion. Grant funding was able to purchase concrete and nails needed to install the fencing around an existing concrete pad.
Signage, wood framing of the sign, and concrete for mounting was also in the grant budget. A commercial roll of landscaping fabric and pins, sourced from Big Blue, also purchased from grant funding, was used under the raised bed area and main pathway. Mulch was spread around the nine raised beds, sourced from Ivey’s Garden Center, and paid for with grant funds.
After reporting this to the Foundation Board, several statements were made about how far the funds were stretched, and they were happy to see what a great cause it was used for. Paige shared with them the joy the garden has brought to the county already, and how it has been utilized for many programs, with the hopes to continue adding more each year! It was a great opportunity for Paige to be able to share images of the garden space with the board, and hopes that when the next round of Extension Innovation Grants are opened, she will be considered again for whatever project she writes the grant for.
Written by Paige Petticrew
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