The Mission of the WCC Community Garden is to provide an educational environment where food is grown by a community learning and practicing organic, sustainable gardening that incorporates the benefits of healthy eating.
We practice and encourage organic, sustainable gardening. No chemicals or weed killers.
The garden is managed by 6 Master Gardeners and a small group of dedicated volunteers. The garden operates under the direction of the Weirton Christian Center but we do not rely on financial support from the Center. Our current income is derived from grant funding, community donation cans, an annual letter to donors, leased beds, plus many forms of in-kind support and community partnerships. We also have a Facebook page to promote the garden and notify community of future events.
With the help of an in-kind donation from a benefactor of WCC, we have installed 480 foot vinyl fence around the garden, bins for topsoil, mulch, straw, composter, water system for the beds, landscaping outside the fence, pea gravel between the beds. We also have a 20×20 shelter to hold gardening events in the future, as well as a place for the children while at the garden. Our future plans are to have a butterfly garden, pollinator gardens, Mason bee habitats, fruit trees, berries, grape vine hummingbird feeders.
The garden provides an opportunity to learn the benefits of gardening and many gardening skills, as well as inspire and improve self-esteem. Five beds are set aside for our children. Each bed has 2 grades responsible for planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting their vegetables. Teaching children to grow vegetables and eat healthy is the main focus of the garden.
We offer beds for lease to individuals, businesses, and organizations for $40.00 a growing season. (April thru October) Lease holders are responsible for planting, weeding, watering and maintaining their bed. We also have partnerships with the Lion’s Club, a Girl Scout Troop, Parents as Teachers, Brooke Hancock Family Resource Network and WVU Extension Office of Hancock County, Blue Stream Hydroponics.