During my time as an intern at the N.C. Cooperative Extension – New Hanover County Center and Arboretum, I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with Rise Up Community Day Farm. This experience truly expanded my understanding of how food grows and highlighted just how important community gardens are.
Bella Reed with Harvest Basket.
Every week I volunteered, I learned something new — whether it was about plant life cycles, growing techniques, or the nutritional value of different veggies. Beyond that, I soaked up the sunshine, connected with nature, and met some incredible people in my community. My favorite part? Making a new friend every time I showed up.
The power of getting involved
There’s something powerful about getting hands-on with the food you eat — from seed to harvest. It’s one thing to buy produce at the store; it’s another to watch it grow with your own eyes. Personally, I was amazed to learn that plants like asparagus are allowed to go to seed, so they naturally replant for the next season. I had no idea that was part of the process.
Aspagrus in a field.
Volunteering in a garden connects you with the earth and with others. You start to see how food is a shared language — something that brings people together through culture, exchanging tips and recipes.
Mental health and connection
Gardening is known for its mental health benefits. It reduces stress and anxiety ― and yes, there’s a reason people say “go touch grass!” Spending time outside, especially with your hands in the soil, can be incredibly therapeutic. Sunlight also helps regulate cortisol levels (your body’s stress hormone), leaving you feeling calmer and more centered.
What’s more, community gardens create space for authentic connection. It’s a place where people exchange gardening tips, swap recipes, and share stories — building a network of support and collective learning.
Fields at Rise Up Community Day Farm.
Food literacy and lifelong health
When you understand where your food comes from, you’re more likely to make intentional, nourishing choices. Learning the process, seeing the beauty in growth and patience, helps build a healthier relationship with food.
Community gardens also promote food literacy in ways that help you through everyday life. They spark conversations about cooking, meal prepping, and making the most of fresh, seasonal ingredients. That kind of knowledge isn’t just helpful — it’s empowering.
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Preparing the veggies.
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So here’s my gentle encouragement to you: get involved in your local community garden. Whether you’re planting, weeding, harvesting, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, you’ll be part of something bigger.
Because in a garden, we don’t just grow vegetables — we grow awareness, health, and connection. And it all starts with one small seed.
Bella Reed is an intern at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Center for New Hanover County, which is located at the arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington, North Carolina. The gardens are free and open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Reach the office by contacting Bella Reed’s supervisor Morgan King at morgan_king@ncsu.edu or 910-798-7660.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: How community gardens cultivate health, connection in Wilmington, NC
