It is the middle of gardening season, but there is still time to plant! If you are unable to garden due to lack of space or yard, there is a place in Canaan Valley that has a community garden.
Angie Shockley of Canaan Valley is the owner of this community garden.
“There are some families who already brought plants to garden,” stated Shockley. She added that there is plenty of more space to plant. “The idea is that anybody that doesn’t have a garden can some here, share the work load and the fruits of our labor.”
Located on what most locals know as the Bubby Ratliff farm, you can find the community on Cortland Road between North Lake and Black Bear Resort.
According to Shockley, the garden has an eight-foot deer fence. It is free for the community to use. Anyone in Tucker County is welcome to use it and you can label the rows or area you use.
“Selena Wiley-Gill and Heidi Hemrick has been the two community members who have been excited about this and have already participated,” stated Shockley. “My intention is to maintain this as the community garden as long as it is useful for people. I think everybody will share in the work load and tend their portion of the garden.”
Shockley explained that Tucker County is becoming known as a locally-grown locally-cultivated fresh fruit and vegetable hub. You have the Highland Market that carries local produce. A lot of local farmers take their wears into the market. With the community garden though, if there is excess fruits or vegetables then there will be an honor system for locals to drive by, put money in an honor system box after getting the produce they want. All money raised will go to Saddles & Smiles, a scholarship foundation to help youth who want to attend Double S Stables’ summer horse camp receive a scholarship.
Cortland Community Garden is tilled up and ready to go. It truly is free for the community to use. What is great about gardening is that it gives people a connection to nature and a sense of wellness. With a beautiful view of the Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Dolly Sods, people have the opportunity to plant as many fruits and vegetables to suit their liking.
For more information about the Cortland Community Garden, contact Angie Shockley at 304.642.9070 or Keith Bishop at 304.704.9606.
