Things have been flourishing in the New Roots Youth Garden, and it’s no surprise to learn that the luscious garden is having its best year yet, in both amount of produce and children attendance. With an amazing Spring Session under their belt, they are swinging into summer…and the kids love it. When you ask Tammy Holloway, President of the Board of NRYG and owner of the Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles, what their secret to success is, she points to three unique parts of NRYG: the dedicated volunteers, funding support from a generous community and their new Garden Coordinator Hannah Denny. Add a good dose of fun and eager to learn children and you have an amazing recipe for successes.
“New Roots is truly blessed with an amazing volunteer support network,” Tammy Holloway said. “I can’t say enough times how wonderful it is to be blessed with such a dedicated community of people that genuinely love to help out in the Garden.” She also talks about the many ways to help out the Garden, which really gives people a lot of different opportunities to lend a hand when they can. There is no shortage of folks willing to come by the garden during the week and help keep it beautiful, and of people who want to get involved in other ways like site work or making a donation to the garden. Donations of all sizes directly impact the teachable moments we are able to provide to Cape Charles and Northampton youth.
One of these dedicated folks happens to be Hannah Denny, a recent college grad that New Roots hired to be the Garden Club Coordinator, and she has jumped into managing the Garden with both feet first. “Thank goodness for Miss Hannah. Things just wouldn’t get done if it weren’t for her! All of us have full time jobs or a jam packed retirement calendar ” Tammy states. “The really great thing is that Hannah says this is her dream job…and hearing that makes everyone a part of New Roots feel super happy!” The New Roots Youth Garden Board works hard to raise money through our annual Thanksgiving pie sale, Guppie Challenge and United Way allocation to fund this part-time position and all offerings at the garden. We strive to provide a healthy, fun and safe learning environment for children to have hands on experiences from growing and tending a garden from seed to farm stand.
Hannah has begun a Youth Farmer’s Market Volunteer program for kids to come to the wildly successful Cape Charles Farmer’s Market to really see how farmers sell and market their produce. She has also been encouraging older youth in the ESVA community to help volunteer at the garden, and is extremely proud of her 3 current teen volunteers, 2 of which used to be New Roots Youth Garden Club members when the garden first opened! When asked what her favorite part of the job is, she takes a moment to think: “Honestly, it’s when the kids will try something they have never tried before…whether it’s an herb, or veggie…and they like it! The happy surprise on their face is priceless.”
The New Roots Youth Garden meets for Garden Club at the corner of Fig and Randolph (right next to Rayfields in Cape Charles) each Thursday at 5-6:30pm. Like us on NRYG Facebook page to keep up with our Garden Club Themes, and other updates to the Garden. Volunteers are always welcomed with open arms, as are children of differing abilities!
If you have questions or information about getting involved with NRYG, please contact Hannah Denny at helpnewrootsyouthgarden@gmail.com or call 757-414-7188. To donate to New Roots visit our website at www.nryg.webs.com
Leave a Reply