Urban corner flourishes with Brighton Grows Community Garden
Brighton Grows Community Garden in Zanesville, Ohio, is the home of the Central State University Extension's Beginning Farmer Demonstration Site, offering a hands-on learning environment for novice and aspiring farmers.
This urban corner, shared with a Veterans Garden, Food Pantry Garden, and Youth Garden, serves as a vibrant hub for cultivating seasonal vegetables and fostering community engagement. The Brighton Grows site is a partnership with CSU Extension, Urban Greens, Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District, Muskingum County Veterans Service Office, and Zanesville Metropolitan Housing Authority.
On July 9, a significant event unfolded at this bustling site: the Brighton Grows Fun Fest and Youth Garden Ribbon Cutting. This festive occasion, organized by the collective efforts of the partners involved with the growing site, marked a milestone in community development. The event commenced with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Youth Garden, officiated by the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, setting a celebratory tone for the day.
The festivities that followed were a testament to the community’s spirit. Attendees enjoyed an array of activities, including music and games. Food was a central highlight, with CSU Extension partnering with Zanesville Farmers Market to showcase multiple avenues for purchasing fresh produce. This included demonstrations on using EBT SNAP, Produce Perks, the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and the Senior FMNP. Freshly harvested fruits, vegetables, and garlic from the Beginning Farmer Demonstration Site and local farmers were prominently featured and generously distributed to attendees.
A notable attraction was the Smoothie Bikes provided by CSU Extension, where youth created nutritious smoothies using local peaches and raspberries. Foodworks Alliance, an agribusiness partner of CSU Extension, co-hosted an Ohio Farm to School Cucumber Crunch table, offering innovative pickle recipes. The Veterans Garden volunteers demonstrated new skills using CSU Extension’s fence-building equipment, while Urban Greens provided insights into beekeeping with specialized equipment and supplies from CSU Extension. These interactive demonstrations not only entertained but also educated the community on various agricultural practices and skills.
The event was further enriched by the participation of numerous community organizations, each contributing to the day's success and vibrancy. The collaborative efforts underscored the importance of community partnerships in promoting agricultural education and sustainable practices. The ongoing initiative exemplifies the commitment to nurturing a knowledgeable and connected community of farmers and gardeners in Zanesville.
The educational journey at Brighton Grows continues, with beginning farmer classes scheduled to run through October at Brighton Grows and various Muskingum County farms. Those interested in participating or seeking more information can reach out to Denise Natoli Brooks at dbrooks@centralstate.edu or 937-831-5995.
