2024 Green Grants #3 Awarded to the Town of Hillsville

The Town of Hillsville in the Southwest part of Virginia is awarded a $1,000 Green Grants for their Community Beautification proposal.

With a population of just under 3,000 residents, the Town of Hillsville is in a food desert, with affordable fresh produce not fully available for all residents. Some of the residents do not have space for a garden where they live.  The town is working on several projects to make a cohesive space in downtown, including one that is reviving the 1820s original name, “Cranberry Plains” for a community garden at the Hillsville Farmers Market.  It will be used for  teaching and engagement for local youth who attend the farmers market.

Green Grants funds will be used to purchase raised garden kits, soil and other supplies to create the Cranberry Plains Community Garden at the farmers market.

In partnership with Mag Lane Farms, an educational program will be provided to participants to learn about plant varieties , planting techniques, and garden maintenance, the youth who participate will be offered a plant to take home to grow.

Another partnership has grown from the local 4-H program Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), which provides the opportunity for youth to learn about entrepreneurship through hands-on experiential learning.  Last year a 14-year-old girl started a business called Beelessins that creates garden plant markers made from stamped silverware handles.  Beelessing is now a yearly vendor at the Town of Hillsville Farmers Market, and will participate in the Green Grants Community Beautification project this year.  By sharing her experience, she will inspire others to consider joining the workshops offered by 4-H for young entrepreneurs so that they too can sell their own products at the farmers market in the future.

This is truly a community collaboration, and a wonderful example of the Green Grants’ Community Beautification category!