Mid-Summer Update on One Valley Gardens

Late last month, One Valley, Inc. was presented the Roanoke Lion’s Club’s Virginia Council of Governor’s “Distinguished Service Award” for their work in providing free garden produce to local food pantries.

On June 26th, One Valley hosted a site visit for a team from Virginia Tech’s “Advancing Urban Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems in Virginia” project. They are providing us with grant funding support for our Urban Agriculture Manager/Trainee position, for developing a marketing strategy for new urban farmers, and for upgrading our urban orchard area.

Work continues at both gardens to supply weekly produce for 6 different local food pantry/distribution points: the Hope Center, St. Mark’s Lions Share, McCray Court Senior Center, Hill Street Baptist Church, Hunt Manor Apartments, and RAM House; as well as for volunteers and neighbors. Current produce includes zucchini and yellow squash, sungold tomatoes, and a variety of egglants and peppers. The Carver Garden is open to the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 am until noon and the 8^th & Gilmer Garden is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, also from 9:00 am until noon.

Upcoming One Valley Activities include:

July 26^th: Garden Seminar by Miranda Poe on “Making Pesto”, 10:30 am at the 8^th & Gilmer Garden.

July 30^th: Healthy Hearts Proclamation with Mayor Cobb: The Roanoke Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative (LC) has been working on several heart health initiatives in Northwest Roanoke. Partners have offered space for meetings, coordinated produce distribution, shared blood pressure self-monitoring resources, and so much more. This initiative will be recognized with a kickoff event on Wednesday, July 30th at 9:00 am at the Envision Center (2607 Salem Turnpike NW, Roanoke, VA 24017) by the garden. In case of rain, we will meet at Mt. Zion AME Church (2128 Melrose Ave NW). At this event, Mayor Cobb will sign the official Healthy Hearts Proclamation! This will make Roanoke just the third Healthy Hearts City in the US!

August 5^th: National Night Out Celebration at Loudon Park. One Valley will be participating in this NNO event hosted by the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization. The activities include music, free food, a bounce house, face painting, and much more. The event runs from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

August 11^th: One Valley Neighborhood Meeting. This meeting, starting with time for social interaction and finger food, will be held at the Melrose Library Community Room, 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Bruce Major, Director of the Excel Center at Melrose Plaza, will discuss the various educational opportunities available for adults.