The Town of Gordonsville had wanted a community garden for a long time, so once this project began we knew that it was imperative that we “do it right,” in a way that would be sustainable for many years to come. We were fortunate to be in a town with a “can do” attitude and so our work began with keeping an open mind and asking a lot of questions. To name just a few, individuals who have played an important role in our success include:
- Gordonsville Mayor & Town Manager: Bob Coiner and Debbie Kendall
- Director of Public Works: Vincent Seal
- Volunteer Fire Company Chief: Ronnie Johnson
- Chief of Police: Clay Corbin
- Community Outreach Organizations: Willow Drinkwater (Feed My Sheep)
- Local Garden Experts: Including Gail Babnew, Pam and Brad Brady, and Otto Sherwood.
- Philanthropists: Jacqueline and Bruce Gupton
When people focus correctly on the “community” in “community gardens,” tremendous results can be achieved in record time. On-line research can help answer a lot of questions, but there is still nothing like one-on-one communications and open dialogues regarding potential issues and the best way in which to resolve them.