Community Garden to Begin at Padgett Park

Cultivate Community Gardens (CCG), the first community garden in South Walton, announced the organization is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the J.W. Couch Foundation.

The funds will be used towards the initial construction of the community garden to be installed this spring at Padgett Park in Santa Rosa Beach.

“We are thrilled to help construct the first community garden in South Walton and believe it will be an amazing source of nutrition, education and wellness for all.” said Sean Couch, President of the J.W. Couch Foundation.

“We are so grateful for the support of the J. W. Couch Foundation and are excited this grant will allow us to open the garden at Padgett Park this spring,” said Angie Reilly, South Walton resident and President of Cultivate Community Gardens. “It is so inspiring to see our plans come to life and be able to offer the space to grow and create long-lasting, healthy relationships with our neighbors and natural environment.”

The community garden will be located at Padgett Park on JD Miller Rd in Santa Rosa Beach. Per their agreement with Walton County, CCG will establish, manage and maintain a pesticide free, non-GMO community garden. Cultivate Community Gardens is currently looking for individual and corporate sponsors to support the construction of the garden. To see the plans and learn how to sponsor a garden plot for a fellow gardener, please visit our website at: www.cultivatecommunitygardens.org.

The garden will offer hands-on learning opportunities while providing community members the space, education and skills related to sustainable gardening practices and land stewardship.

Initially the fenced-in garden will offer approximately 20 raised garden plots with soil and irrigation, allowing space for future expansion. Applications for plots will be available in the near future and will be approved on a first-come-first-served basis for a nominal annual fee. A set number of beds will be reserved for local schools and civic groups who wish to have a space to garden and learn the benefits of gardening and issues important to the environment.

Cultivate Community Gardens is dedicated to building community relationships in Walton County, Florida through gardening and inspiring residents to value healthy food and our natural environment. Cultivate Community Gardens will create hands-on learning opportunities and provide community members with the space, education and skills to foster sustainable gardening practices and respectful land stewardship.