Lewisburg addes special needs bed to community garden

LEWISBURG — The Village of Lewisburg previously developed a community garden to encourage residents to grow their own food, but on Monday, Sept. 23, the village filled a need by adding a special needs bed to the garden as well.

The new bed is raised and provides easier access for a variety of different disabilities.

This new addition to the community garden was sponsored by Cargill Cares.

According to Mayor Marsha Jones, this will further allow the village to provide a place to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, exercise, and socialization. She added, Lewisburg is a food desert for fresh produce, with the exception of the seasonal Farmer’s Market. This garden provides another way for residents to access fresh produce.

Jones explained, the community garden gives the opportunity to grow produce in the Village of Lewisburg. Now, the garden is accessible to all.

“[If someone wishes to uses the special needs bed] they come down and plant or harvest. They don’t need to ask permission, necessarily. We do have agreement forms if someone wants to have their own plot. Really it is for anyone who wants to get out, garden, and get their hands dirty,” Jones said.

Jones added, when developing the new bed they took into consideration all potential disabilities, including mobility issues, such as wheelchair accessibility.

Lorey Collins, Volunteer Chair for Cargill Cares, said the organization is always looking for ways to contribute and help the community.

“We are always looking for opportunities to give back to the community, especially with nutrition and helping with education and things like that. This is a perfect thing for us to do,” she said.

Jones added, “We would also like to recognize the village workers who helped, the Boy Scouts, Garden’s Alive, and Chris Miley with Miley Construction for contributing to the community garden.”

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On Monday, Sept. 23 the Village of Lewisburg opened a new special needs bed at the community garden.
https://www.registerherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/41/2019/10/web1_Garden3.jpgOn Monday, Sept. 23 the Village of Lewisburg opened a new special needs bed at the community garden.

By Kelsey Kimbler

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Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH