Valiant Cross, Troy Montgomery Watch Community Garden Bloom
A community garden is growing greener thanks to a partnership between Valiant Cross and Troy Montgomery.
The produce grown in the garden will be sold by Valiant Cross Academy students at a stand in front of the school on Dexter Avenue downtown.
The program’s roots sprouted in 2017 with the help of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant meant to help Valiant Cross students learn about nutrition on Troy University’s Montgomery campus. Now, with the produce stand, the students will have the opportunity to learn about business ownership as well.
“It is important to teach our scholars about the importance of starting and maintaining a business,” said Anthony Brock, head of school at Valiant Cross. “We want them to one day be a major part of the economic development of their neighborhoods, Montgomery, and ultimately the world.”
Sharon Everhardt, an assistant professor of sociology at Troy Montgomery with a special interest in community gardens, said the garden and produce stand will help keep the garden blooming into the future.
“The proceeds from the farm stand will go back into the garden project to make the program self-sufficient,” she said.
According to Everhardt, the stand will be open on June 18 and 25 and July 9 and 16 from 8 to 9 a.m. or until produce runs out.
After the students are back in school in early August, the garden will begin to rotate to fall crops. They plan to keep the garden and stand open year-round.
Originally Published by WSFA on June 11, 2018