Scott County community garden seeks repairs; board pledges $1,000 and asks for update

Carol Dixon, secretary of the Scott County Southwest Virginia Community Foundation and one of the garden’s master gardeners, updated the board on the 10‑year history of the Scott County Community Garden behind Gate City Presbyterian Church and asked the county for assistance to rebuild weakened raised beds.

Dixon said the garden was built in 2014, has 47 raised beds protected by an 8‑foot deer fence and produces about 300–400 pounds of vegetables each growing season. She told the board the estimated budget to remove soil, rebuild and replenish beds in March–April is $4,885 and that volunteers and local donors have supported the project for a decade. “Any amount that we are not able to get, we may have to reduce the bids,” Dixon said.

Board members discussed other fundraising sources (the Presbyterian Church, the Rotary, state grants) and whether contingency funds could cover part of the request. One supervisor suggested a contribution of about $1,000 (roughly one quarter of the request) and invited Dixon to return for further consideration if additional funds are not raised; Dixon said she would pursue other donors and report back.

Why it matters: the garden serves residents, school groups and apartment communities and the board framed the contribution as support for a longstanding community asset rather than an ongoing operating subsidy.

Next step: staff and board agreed to consider an initial $1,000 from board contingency and requested a follow‑up with updated fundraising results before additional contributions are approved.