The public is invited Thursday, September 25 to the Fairview Community Garden Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The event begins at 11 am and the special guest will be Tennessee’s First Lady Crissy Haslam. Fairview’ High School’s principal, Dr. Juli Oyer will also be available for interviews at the ceremony.
The school is located at 2595 Fairview Boulevard in Fairview, Tennessee.
Citizens of Fairview requested a community garden in 2012 while at the same time Fairview High was looking for a method to expand their agricultural teaching and outreach with the community. Through multiple site visits and meetings, a partnership was created between Grace Works West, Fairview High School, City of Fairview, Fairview Community Action Partnership (FCAP) and corporate sponsors to create this “Teaching Garden.”
Their current plans are to operate the garden under the control of the school during the school year. In spring, students will establish a spring planting and the community master gardeners and citizen volunteers will maintain, harvest and replant during the summer months.
Phase II of the garden is scheduled to plant fruit trees in the adjacent field to complete the teaching process to incorporate fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs.
Fairview High School is also excited to include the ADA experts at the National Center of Accessibility to insure we have workable wheel chair access for all students. This will allow hands on experience in the teaching process for all students on our campus including those with disabilities or mobility challenges.
The proceeds from the gardens will go back to the community through Grace Works, West which is a nonprofit 501 3c organization that provides clothing, food, and personal care items to families in need in the Fairview Community. This teaching garden established through grants and sponsorship has already started the processing of giving to others even before they have produced the first crop. In true Fairview fashion, they have all worked together to get this outdoor classroom started.
