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What separates NC State University from other schools? The same thing that connects it to every corner of North Carolina: NC State Extension. Working hand-in-hand with our partners at N.C. A&T and 101 local governments, we conduct groundbreaking research that addresses real-world issues in communities across the state.

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NC State Extension is the largest outreach program at NC State University. Based in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, we reach millions of North Carolina citizens each year through local centers in the state's 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Learn More About NC State Extension

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Community Gardens

Welcome to the North Carolina Community Gardens site!

Dig in and find a community garden near you; learn how to start a new garden; or find resources to support an existing one.

What is a community garden?

A community garden is any piece of land gardened by a group of people. Community gardens are as varied as the neighborhoods in which they are located. They can be found at schools, parks, housing projects, places of worship, vacant lots, private properties or anywhere there is open land and lots of sunlight. Each is developed to meet the needs of the people who come together to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs and other plants on common ground. A community garden can be any size or shape, ranging from just a few raised beds to two or three acres.

Community gardens bring people together.

They provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardeners or the produce may be donated to the hungry. Some focus on education, or on nutrition and exercise, while others may sell what they grow for income. Some simply provide a place to share the love of being out-of-doors and gardening.

excerpt from “Eat Smart, Move More: Growing Communities through Gardens“

Mailbox sign for Gibsonville Community Garden

Gibsonville Community Garden, Gibsonville, NC. Image by Lucy Bradley.

More about Community Gardening

Collard Greens and Common Ground: A North Carolina Community Food Gardening Handbook
Get involved with the North Carolina Community Garden Partners (NCCGP), and connect with the organization on Facebook
2009 Gardening Manifesto: Gardening – A National Call to Action – from IATP Food & Community Fellows
From Farm to Fork: A Guide to Building a Sustainable, Local Food Economy in North Carolina

Support Community Garden Programs

Contributing to the NC State Extension Gardener Enhancement Fund provides support for education, resources, and networking opportunities to North Carolina community gardens. Your gift is an investment in local food security, nutrition, and community.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

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