The Green Thumb Gardeners in Haywood County has received a state grant that will enable the group to expand its community garden.

The funding is through Nourishing North Carolina, a statewide community garden program making local, healthy food more accessible to people across the state. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina launched the program in partnership with the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association to create or enhance community gardens in all 100 North Carolina counties over the next three years.

Town of Waynesville employees and others began brainstorming, and Daydreamz decided to sponsor the community garden. Since that time, the project has become one that also benefits Kids at Work. The group uses some of the herbs and vegetables for its youth cooking program, the Open Door Soup Kitchen, and the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Summer Youth Program.

Other folks who come regularly to learn and grow together in the garden are local ARC group home residents, Meridian Behavioral Health Services participants, as well as Daydreamz volunteers and members of the Master Gardeners program. Anyone is welcome.

828.456.6629