Shoots of green come out of the raised beds of the community garden at South Virginia Street, soon to grow into green peppers, tomatoes and eggplants. The produce is only a part of the growth the garden has seen since it was developed a few years ago.

Pauline Stokes with the Prince Edward County Cooperative Extension said the garden has seen a new fence placed around the perimeter of the garden. She said the fence is meant to ward off wildlife such as deer, which has caused issues in the past.

The garden recently received a grant for $1,125 in conjunction with the Hampden-Sydney College Philanthropy program, where students of the college work and develop programs with the garden. Stokes said the grant funding was used to purchase and install the new fence.

Looking into later in the summer, Stokes said she may look to have representatives come and hold events at the garden.

“We’re trying to get the residents involved, but anybody can come,” Stokes said.

Residents on the street sign up to care for a plot, and are responsible for planting and tending the produce.

Children’s activities are also underway for the summer. Stokes said one event may include helping children draw and label things in the garden, learn about the water system, fence and raised beds.

“If they make little, creative paintings themselves of what’s there, then they will be more aware of what’s in the garden and what it’s used for,” Stokes said.

Stokes said the main goal for the garden going forward is getting more members of the community involved with the garden. She said she wants to make the garden accessible for people of all ages.

“It’s been three years, going onto four, … working with the garden getting into the state that it’s in, and it’s been kind of hard, but we’ve preserved and we never gave up, and we get our help when we can get it,” Stokes said.

“We want more people involved,” Stokes said.

To learn more about the community garden, contact Stokes at the Cooperative Extension Office at (434) 392-4246, extension 203.