Adam Bigelow, Haywood Community College 2008 Horticulture graduate, has found his niche in community gardens. He is the manager for the new Cullowhee Community Garden. He also works as a volunteer at the Sylva Community Garden and is working on a business plan to start a youth farm where students can work in an after school and summer program to raise and sell items from vegetable, flower, and nursery gardens.

“Community gardens are such a neat way to grow a garden. It is a way of getting local, healthy, organic food to people who may not have access to it otherwise,” Bigelow explains. “There are so many ecological, social, and educational opportunities with these gardens.”

The Cullowhee Community Garden is funded by a state Eat Smart, Move More NC Community Grant. Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina is a statewide movement that promotes increased opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity wherever people live, learn, earn, play and pray.

The Garden will grow vegetables using organic cultural methods. Half of what is grown will be donated to The Community Table of Sylva, a soup kitchen. Bigelow hopes to have the garden ready by October.

“Community gardens enhance nutrition and physical activity and promote the role of public health in improving quality of life.  We are excited for the opportunity to provide a public health community garden here in Jackson County,” said Jackson County Health Director, Paula Carden.

Before coming to HCC, Bigelow had already worked for a number of years in the horticulture field. He had completed the North Carolina Master Gardener Program. He continued his education at Western Carolina University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science in 2011.

“I came to HCC because the school is known for its horticulture program. After going through the program, I went from a plant enthusiast to a horticulturist,” Bigelow explains. “To make a living doing what I love . . . nothing’s better than that.”

For more information about the Cullowhee Community Garden, please contact Adam Bigelow at 226-0398 or bigelownc@gmail.com.