helping HANDS
A Bountiful Harvest Davidson Community Garden lives by the mantra “take some and share a lot!” BY: » Renee Roberson PHOTOS COURTESY OF : » Davidson Community Garden Facebook page
L
ongtime Davidson residents Eddie and Connie Beach have always had a passionate love for their community. Both worked for the Barium Springs Home for Children (now Children’s Hope Alliance) before Eddie, a Davidson College graduate, transitioned to an education role at the Davidson Community Presbyterian Church and eventually, the Lake Norman YMCA, before retiring. Connie followed her dream of becoming a travel agent and still works in the field. They solidified their roots after permanently relocating to Davidson
18 LimitlessMagOnline.com | April 2021
Left: Connie and Eddie Beach and garden volunteers. Above: Most of the garden’s harvest is donated to the Loaves and Fishes food pantry at Ada Jenkins Center.
and joining Davidson United Methodist Church in 2000. Connie was part of a garden club when an outreach minister at the church brought up the idea of creating a community garden in the fall of 2009. Eddie jokes that Connie showed the most interest in the garden idea, and before they knew it, she was put in charge of what is now Davidson Community Garden. The group broke ground on a plot of land owned by Davidson College that they then rented to the church for a minimal fee in March 2010. The piece of land, which spans 120 feet by 60 feet, is located behind The Crazy Pig restaurant.
Growing and going
Local volunteers harvest the beds at the organic garden, which Eddie and Connie believe reflects the town’s strong sense of community and commitment to service. Most of the harvest is donated to the Loaves and Fishes food pantry at the Ada Jenkins Center, providing clients with much-needed fresh fruits and vegetables. Their motto is, “Tend some, take some, and share a lot!” The no-till garden also features a mix of berries, vegetables and a fig tree, as well as eye-catching perennials. Now in their 12th season, Eddie and
