Opportunities are growing at the Brookdale Resource Center as seeds and plants have been planted at The Gardens at Brookdale. On Tuesday, April 11, we held a First Planting Ceremony to commemorate the start of growing a garden behind the Resource Center. You can watch the full ceremony here. 

About 100 people, including Bibb County students, attended the ceremony and helped plant fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the garden beds made by Rutland High School students. They planted the first phase including sweet potato, squash, corn, okra, tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries.  

“It feels like we were just here a few weeks ago announcing this project, probably because we were,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “It’s incredible to see what can be done so quickly when a community comes together to create something that will have a big impact.” 

On March 16, Mayor Miller along with United Way of Central Georgia, Bibb County Cooperative Extension, and Bibb County School District announced the start of an initiative aimed to feed Brookdale residents fresh food from 49 raised garden beds in the Center’s backyard. 

“Here at Brookdale, we believe that life can begin again in this garden with the right set of circumstances, protected space, and the time and patience that life itself can begin again in those walls,” said United to End Homelessness Director Dr. Jake Hall. “The space we have here that connects our community is generative in ways far beyond just the nutrition.” 

The gardens are volunteer and donation based. The wood for the beds was donated by Warren Associates, supplies were donated by Minton Lawn and Garden Center, and Karsten and Denson. The Georgia Farm Bureau donated $2,500 for supplies, Evergreen Landscaping donated dirt, our Parks & Beautification Department got the grounds ready by setting up beds, filling them with dirt and spreading mulch, our Recreation Department put up fencing, and Tractor Supply have committed to providing tools and other material to the maintain the garden.  

“Gardening is an everyday learning experience,” said The Gardens at Brookdale Manager Susan Fisher.  “We encourage volunteers to join this effort to not only learn about gardening, and to help feed our neighbors, but this will provide physical exercise, stress relief, relaxation, and a sense of belonging.” 

There will be a continuous harvest all summer long. The garden should provide enough vegetables for more than 100 people at Brookdale throughout this season. 

The next date volunteers can join is on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Click here to sign up!