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A group of Gibsonville residents wants to build a community garden on a half-acre of town-owned land.

Christine Stewart proposed the idea at the Board of Aldermen meeting March 16.

The property is on Dick Street, and the group has asked to use the water available on tap there.

The main purpose of the garden would be to give seniors and shut-ins fresh, nutritious food, Stewart said.

The garden would be divided into 15 to 20 plots. People would apply to be plot holders and pay a small fee, probably $10.

Gardeners would use sustainable practices to minimize negative effects on the environment and protect the soil. No artificial fertilizers or other chemicals would be used.

Stewart said she and the handful of people who would oversee the land especially want beginning gardeners or people who have never gardened to apply for the plots.

The group hopes that local restaurants and flower shops will donate scraps — material that otherwise would be thrown away — for composting.

“I think we have plenty of resources in the town to support this,” Stewart said.

Stewart said the group would model its plan on the Glenwood community garden in Greensboro.

The board will take action on the community garden proposal at the April 6 meeting.

Also at the March 16 meeting, Jean Marlowe , executive director of the N.C. Cannabis Patients Network, asked the board to support a study on medical marijuana. The nonprofit is seeking support for the establishment of a study by the General Assembly on implementing medical marijuana use. Earlier this month, Greensboro passed a resolution supporting the study.

Marlowe said several Gibsonville people are members of the network. People who use medical marijuana include cancer and AIDS patients.

Some are dealing with chronic pain, nausea or other health problems.

“The last thing they need is ... the fear of being arrested,” she said.
Marlowe asked the board to consider allowing the nonprofit to give a presentation at a board meeting.

Representatives of the group have toured the state this winter, meeting with politicians, clergy and medical professionals and airing programs on local public-access TV stations.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at 449-4610 or jamie.kennedy@news-record.com