The Community Garden at Benedict Farm Park was established in 2009 to give Town residents a place to grow their own vegetables and flowers in a shared space fenced in and supplied with water. Those interested could sign up for one or two plots at twenty-five dollars each with the understanding they would also volunteer two hours per plot towards community maintenance. Rules were established to ensure members kept a relatively weed-free plot. Gardeners voted on a governing board with a president, treasurer and rule enforcer.

This past year, however disgruntlement arrived in paradise.Some people started to “hog” other plots by enrolling under other names. More people wanted to sign up for plots and a waiting list had to be created. The Town took over the finances, and the Community Gardening Board was dissolved. The CAC Community Garden was then declared as a “Town project.” After two private meetings with the Garden Board, the Town nominated its own garden administrators and promised a resolution to how it would be run in the future at the November 28th Town Board meeting.

Since this award-winning Community Garden has been the crown jewel of any Community Garden throughout the county, it is to be hoped that the gardeners and residents will come out to speak on its behalf and ensure its existence into the future.