Master Gardeners of Cherokee County

Demonstrations and classes will be held to show people how to get the most out of their garden. As jobs shrink and food prices soar, there are some folks looking for ways to help struggling residents put more food on their table. Their answer--grow it.

At the commissioners meeting on Monday, Keith Wood, Teresa Wiley, Doug Clement and others brought a plan before the board to set aside some land near the county land fill in Marble in order for local residents to grow a garden.

They're not talking hundreds and hundreds of acres, yet. In fact, they are only looking at about half an acre to test out the idea and see if it takes root. Theidea is to divvy up the land into small four feet by 50 feet parcels, allowing one per family on a first-come basis for the first 25 families to apply.

Well, if you already have sufficient land, gardening know-how and already have plans for putting in a garden this this spring, this won't interest you. But if you've been used to living out of Ingles for the past few years and are interested in getting back to the basics of where food really comes from, then this might just be your motivation to get up off the coach, get outside and do a little digging in the dirt.

The other benefit to you will be that the garden area will be plowed and ready for planting. You won't have to go out and buy some expensive gardening ve- hicles or hire someone else to get the ground ready for you to start planting. Then too, there will be demonstrations and classes held to show you how to get the most out of your garden. You will have the advice of county extension agents and master gardeners, who will teach you the tricks of the trade. You will be working your garden along with others who are learning or relearning the planter craft just like you. Learning about such things as organic gardening, how to use gardening tools, proper use of canning equipment, identification of different varieties of vegetables and herbs, food safety and money saving ideas as well as how to get the most from your gardening effort.

According to Wiley, who is the county's Family and Consumer Science Agent, intensive gardening on a small plot the size of the one to be provided to the new gardeners can provide enough food to feed a family of four.

Applications and sign-ups are to take place during the month of January. There is a $25 application fee. Further details will be worked out as to the scheduling of classes and the times the community garden will be open to be worked.

Community gardening has been tried in other counties in North Carolina with much success. The garden planned for Cherokee County this year is a pilot project. An opportunity to help get folks back to the land, encourage children to learn about gardening and to create and encourage better environmental practices. Expectations are that in future years, there will be many more community gardens through out the county. Applications can be obtained from the county's NC Cooperative Extension Center at 39 Peachtree St., Suite 103, Murphy. Or you may call 837-2210 for further information. The deadline for applications to be returned in January 31, 2009, although the sooner you get your application in the better your chances of getting a garden spot.